A Day to Remember in Des Moines

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.

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


Vietnam War
Ronald Gail Swaim
Terry Patrick Sloan
Donald Glenn Peddicord
Robert Bruce Leonard
Dennis Michael Barton
James Hamilton Hise
Dale Edward Egbert
Ronald Emery Clark
Donald Ray Webb
Tim Edwin Newell
Donald Ralph Ledlie
Walter Lee Iii Nutt
James Leon Cunningham
Harry Jay Cornwell
Douglas Ralph Hodgson
Jerry Lee Leonardi
Lester Timothy Walker
John B Shank
James Gordon Johnson
Tommy Duane Knapp
Loren Steven Reeves
Connie Leroy Chandler
Lloyd Cyrus Jr Wohlford
Terry Ray Zimmerman
Paul George Jr Hamilton
Robert Wilfred Mc Donald
Russell Thomas Pickering
Edward Joseph Ii Drew
Lynn Leroy Miles
John Michael Astley
Walter Boyce Johnson
Robert Taylor Jr Jones
Michael David Fuller
John Edward Manson
Richard Lee Goodman
Dennis Arnold May
William Gayland Barker
Thomas E Iii Mortice
John B Madison
Michael David Gehrt
Richard Joseph Wehrhein
Gary Dean Bender
Frederick William Weidner
Frank Stan Iii Mccutcheon
Richard B Garrett
William Frank Golliday
James E Jr Raffensperger
Richard George Liewer
Kermit C Jr Peterson
Steven Michael Mitchell
Larry Dean Austin
Lawrence Michael Dart
Harold Lee Smith
Raymond Albert Hensley
Marc Gregory Van Dalsem
Stephen Eldon Boots
Marshall Kenneth Morris
Warren G H Jr Lizotte
Otto Jr Stone
Charles Cecil Case
John Christopher Lowe
Michael Lee Zappia
James Alan Norris
Ronald De Vere Duntz
Jerry Ray Frazier
William Fredric Freestone
John E Jr Carter
George Clyde Norris
Stephen Paul Alsted
Richard Aaron Mc Clain
Robert James Mc Carl
Robert Steven Mc Beth
Gerry Dewayne Major
John Dewey Iii Killen
Jerry Lee Kaster
Dale Eugene Grant
Charles W Jr Johnston
Ariel Lindley Cross
Frank George Smith
Janis Abolins
Richard Allen Wade
James Joseph Tedesco
Ronald Steven Sweet
Larry Joseph Nehring
Marshall Myron Jr Holt
Anthony Carra
Richard C Swift
Harry Richard Crumley
Gray Dawson Warren
Donald Michael Lint

Korean War
Cataldo Frank Nick
Hatfield Theodore Leroy
HENDERSON RICHARD RAY
KEPFORD JOSEPH CLARENCE
MATHEWS LIONEL ERIC
MILLER JOSEPH ROTH
MILLER WESLEY DALE
RIDER RICHARD GLENN
SIMPSON GRANT W
SWISHER EDWARD DEANE


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