The Vietnam War ended in 1975 — 50 years ago. United States involvement in Vietnam stretched for 20 years between 1955 and 1975. During that period, three graduates from Philomath High School were killed in action fighting in South Vietnam in three successive years — Paul J. Cochran in 1968, David “Doc” Styles in 1969, and Larry Gassner in 1970.
Before these three men were soldiers, they were Warriors. All three were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. The names of all three men are on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salem and the Benton County Memorial Wall of Honor in Corvallis.
In observance of Memorial Day, Love of Learning will focus on their ultimate sacrifice.
Philomath was considerably smaller in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The census of 1970 lists the population of Philomath at 1,616, which is less than a quarter the size of what it is today (5,801). While we still consider ourselves a “small town,” we have certainly grown substantially in the last 50 years. It is heartbreaking to imagine the devastating impact of losing three hometown boys in three successive years in such a small community.
A lot of communities across Oregon experienced similar losses. In total, a staggering 790 Oregonians were killed in the Vietnam War. Many came from small communities like Philomath, Blodgett, Monroe and Eddyville. In total, 176 Oregon communities lost at least one serviceman in the Vietnam War. According to the League of Oregon Cities, there are 241 cities and municipalities in Oregon. Based on this number, this indicates that over 70% of communities were impacted by loss. The war devastated communities and Gold Star families throughout the state.
On Nov. 9, 2024, Shane Cochran-Fritz cut the ribbon on Philomath’s Paul J. Cochran Memorial Park, which is named after her late brother. Cochran was killed in action serving as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, also known as the “Screaming Eagles.”
Just two weeks later, on Nov. 22, 2024, up in Salem, the ribbon was cut dedicating a new Vietnam Veterans Memorial just outside the capitol building.
The new memorial features 46 granite columns that list the names of Oregonians lost in the Vietnam War. The spacing between the columns symbolizes the fractured division of the country during that period. The list of names was provided by the Department of Defense based upon their “home of record.”
The ceremony was organized in part by Steve Bates from Boring along with the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. Steve serves as the president of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund. The nonprofit fund raised the money and provided tremendous advocacy for construction of the memorial. I reached out to him to provide his reflection on the Vietnam War. He responded saying:
“The Vietnam War is the war of my generation. I did not serve. My involvement with the Vietnam Veterans of America over the past 10 years has been my way of giving back to those who served in my stead. Seven-hundred and ninety Oregonians gave up their American dream so I could live mine. The Vietnam War Memorial on the capitol grounds is the culmination of that sentiment.
“Every life lost during the Vietnam War must be remembered. In doing so, we honor the sacrifice of the Gold Star families. The steering committee for the Vietnam War Memorial at the Capitol envisioned identifying each loss by an Oregon community. This was designed to engage those who did not know a Gold Star family or their loved one who perished. Also, this was designed to engage subsequent generations. They know the community and can relate to the loss experienced by that community.”
Again, 176 communities lost at least one or more people in the war. Walking along the columns provides perspective on the sacrifices of Oregonians in the Vietnam War.
Shane Cochran Fritz, Paul Cochran’s Gold Star sister, visited the Capitol memorial back in early March after supporting a House concurrent resolution (HCR16) work session by a House subcommittee. We found her brother’s name engraved on one of the columns along with the name of his former classmate, David Styles. They are still pictured together on the walls at PHS in the Class of 1966 outside the main gym and are now honored together on a granite memorial column in Salem.
In the words of the late PHS Coach Gary Cox, “Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior.”
We also saw the name of Larry Gassner, PHS Class of 1967. He is listed under Blodgett as his home of record, but he graduated PHS in the Class of 1967. He served as an infantryman in the 25th Infantry Division and was killed by an enemy sniper on May 31, 1970. Alongside his name is listed Bruce Mayo McClellan, who like Larry, was drafted. Both men were fathers who never lived to see their children grow up. Bruce attended high school in Eddyville. Like Paul Cochran, McClellan served in the 101st Airborne Division in 1968. He was killed in action when a landmine exploded on Aug. 26,1968, just a few months after Paul was killed in a firefight.
Nearby, under Eddyville, is listed the name of Bobby Eagleson. Like Cochran, Eagleson was a standout baseball pitcher and played for the American Legion team in Corvallis. In the Army, Bobby served in the 25th Infantry Division, the same unit that Larry Gassner served with. Eagleson’s first day in Vietnam was Nov. 11, 1967, Veterans Day. He was mortally wounded in an enemy explosion on March 10, 1968. He died on a medevac chopper.
The year 1968 was the worst year of the war. The Tet Offensive began the year and dramatically intensified the conflict. According to the National Archives, there were 16,899 killed in action during 1968 alone. This was the highest casualty count of any year during the war. This represents approximately a third of the 58,318 names of casualties on the Vietnam Wall over a 20-year involvement. Take a moment to consider all the lives that were lost and the Gold Star families that were impacted. Our community lost men from Eddyville, Blodgett and Philomath all in 1968. Their names are forever immortalized together on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C., the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salem and the Benton County Wall of Honor in Corvallis.
I reached out to Shane Cochran Fritz for her reflection on the war and her brother’s sacrifice. Here is an excerpt of what she shared.
“Paul Jeffrey Cochran was my older brother. The family called him Jeff to distinguish him from my grandfather, Paul Benjamin Cochran. Jeff was sweet, but he could tease just like any brother. I looked up to him. A letter that he sent me from Vietnam ended, “Goodbye for now only.” I looked forward to a time when we could spend more time together.
“His death on May 1, 1968, made a big hole in our small family. As my mom’s firstborn, they were especially close. Her grief made her emotionally distance herself from my younger brother and me … Jeff’s death was a loss of possibilities and potential. He didn’t make it back to get married and have kids.
“The memorial park in Philomath was my mom’s final wish, and as her trustee, it was up to me to make sure that it became a reality. Thanks to the city of Philomath and the many volunteers who gave of their time and expertise, a lovely little place exists where people can sit and ponder life, where children can play on equipment and families can gather.
“This park is a way that Jeff still makes a difference. He would approve of the flag flying, as he loved, cherished and defended our democracy. He would enjoy the flowers blooming and the chance for quiet reflection. On Memorial Day I will be thinking of him and feeling thankful that the memorial park was established.”
The motto of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund in Salem is “Let us honor our warriors and remember the fallen.” The intent behind this column is to do the same thing. In the Paul J. Cochran Veterans Park, there are two slabs of granite with engraved slogans. One slab reads “No Philomath veteran will ever be forgotten.” The other slab reads “All gave some, some gave all.” Never Forget.
(Eric Niemann is a former mayor and city councilor in Philomath. He can be reached at Lifeinphilomath@gmail.com).