A Day to Remember in Ventura

For most of us, Memorial Day marks the beginning of a season of summer fun. But don’t let the real meaning of the holiday get lost amidst the barbecues and beach sand. Memorial Day – originally­ called “Decoration Day” – unofficially began in 1865 as a way to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. In fact, because of lingering resentment over the war, many Southern states did not observe the holiday until after World War I (they opted for their own Confederate Memorial Day). Memorial Day has since became an occasion to honor fallen soldiers from all wars after WWI. You can find a listing of those from the community who have made the ultimate sacrifice below. Honor them with the traditions of this special holiday:

-Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon, local time.

-Participate in a national “moment of remembrance,” which occurs at 3PM, Washington DC time.

-Place flags on the graves of war dead.

Ventura Area Casualties of War ...
(Please send additions or corrections for the lists below for Ventura to info@americantowns.com)


Vietnam War
William Charles Legat
James Cletus Dye
Michael Wayne Haskins
Donald Earl Gore
Frank Ross Jr Allender
David Bruce Graham
David Gonzales
David Daniel Wright
Mitchell Blaine Wysel
Kenneth Charles Applegate
Rex Charles Allred
Richard David Baca
Larry Michael Beaudette
Donald Wilbanks Vaughn
John Edward Widener
John David Lockw Duffield
Michael Perry Moritz
Creighton Robert Dunn
Siegfried Kofler
Donald B Mc Coig
Terry Lee Vinge
Steven Lee Mc Farland
Michael L Paddock
Allen Donald Muller
Robert Louis Padilla
Michael Wayne Melvin
Patrick G Fitzsimmons
Arturo Olivares-Martinez
Donald Melvin Sewell
John Joseph Hooper

Korean War
Buchanan Don Ray
Campos Richard Augustine


World War II
Click here for a database of local soldiers killed in World War II