New Berlin Veteran To Be Honored For Service In Vietnam
(Submitted photo)
NEW BERLIN – A fallen combat veteran from New Berlin will be honored at an upcoming Veterans Day ceremony after he lost his life while saving others in Vietnam.
Charles La Verne Lumm was killed in action while on a medical mission on September 13, 1968 following what family members described as a gunshot to the heart.
Officials in New Berlin will honor Lumm for his service around 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11 at the Frank H. Arnold American Legion Post 348 on Academy Street as part of their Veterans Day celebration.
According to a letter from the United States Army to Lumm’s parents, at approximately 7:35 p.m. on September 13, 1968, Lumm was the attending Flight Medical Technician aboard an medical evacuation helicopter that was proceeding on a mission about 30 miles North of Qui Nhon in Vietnam when the aircraft began receiving fire.
The military said Lumm was killed after being struck by a bullet in the chest while aboard the helicopter.
“I sincerely hope that the knowledge that your son was an exemplary soldier who died while serving his country will comfort you in this hour of great sorrow,” said the letter to the family. “His dedication and skill have been responsible for the saving of life of many of the wounded that we have evacuated from the battlefield.”
“He was, in fact, the personification of a great American heritage, ‘so that others may live.’”
Representatives of the New Berlin Central School class of 1966 met for their 50th reunion earlier this year and made a pact to ensure Lumm would be recognized for his sacrifice. They raised enough money for a memorial stone and scholarship to be started in Lumm’s name.
The event on Monday will recognize Lumm’s service, with retired United States Army Major General Peter S. Lennon speaking at the Veterans Day event, along with New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter.
Representative of New Berlin Central School Class of 1966, John Hoxie, said during the 50th class reunion individuals discussed Lumm and what the community had done to recognize him.
“We were shocked to see that nothing was done for Charles in our hometown,” said Hoxie. “We reached out to our local American Legion and they approved of the idea of recognizing him for his sacrifice.”
Hoxie said the class of under 50 people started a fundraising campaign and managed to raise enough money to purchase a beautiful memorial stone, and for a, “Charles Lumm Memorial Scholarship,” to be created in his name.
“Charles was a really kind but quiet person,” he said. “He didn’t have to go into Vietnam, he wanted to go – that was the kind of person he was.”
Representatives of Lumm’s family said he was born in Albany, May 7, 1948, attended school in New Berlin, and graduated on June 25, 1966. The family said he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army later that year on November 23, 1966.
They said Lumm graduated from Fort Dix in 1966. He was stationed in Khe, Vietnam. Around that time he received his award of the Air Medal and Citation for more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory.
They added that he also received his second Oak Leaf Cluster in action, and was promoted to SP5.
His funeral was held September 25, 1968, with military honors in the Fort Sam Houston Chapel in Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
At the time of his funeral a fund towards the New Berlin Ambulance was raised in memory of Lumm. That ambulance service still exists in New Berlin today.
The sole survivor of the family, Carol Lumm said she will be present at the New Berlin Veteran’s Day event.
Charles La Verne Lumm was killed in action while on a medical mission on September 13, 1968 following what family members described as a gunshot to the heart.
Officials in New Berlin will honor Lumm for his service around 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11 at the Frank H. Arnold American Legion Post 348 on Academy Street as part of their Veterans Day celebration.
According to a letter from the United States Army to Lumm’s parents, at approximately 7:35 p.m. on September 13, 1968, Lumm was the attending Flight Medical Technician aboard an medical evacuation helicopter that was proceeding on a mission about 30 miles North of Qui Nhon in Vietnam when the aircraft began receiving fire.
The military said Lumm was killed after being struck by a bullet in the chest while aboard the helicopter.
“I sincerely hope that the knowledge that your son was an exemplary soldier who died while serving his country will comfort you in this hour of great sorrow,” said the letter to the family. “His dedication and skill have been responsible for the saving of life of many of the wounded that we have evacuated from the battlefield.”
“He was, in fact, the personification of a great American heritage, ‘so that others may live.’”
Representatives of the New Berlin Central School class of 1966 met for their 50th reunion earlier this year and made a pact to ensure Lumm would be recognized for his sacrifice. They raised enough money for a memorial stone and scholarship to be started in Lumm’s name.
The event on Monday will recognize Lumm’s service, with retired United States Army Major General Peter S. Lennon speaking at the Veterans Day event, along with New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter.
Representative of New Berlin Central School Class of 1966, John Hoxie, said during the 50th class reunion individuals discussed Lumm and what the community had done to recognize him.
“We were shocked to see that nothing was done for Charles in our hometown,” said Hoxie. “We reached out to our local American Legion and they approved of the idea of recognizing him for his sacrifice.”
Hoxie said the class of under 50 people started a fundraising campaign and managed to raise enough money to purchase a beautiful memorial stone, and for a, “Charles Lumm Memorial Scholarship,” to be created in his name.
“Charles was a really kind but quiet person,” he said. “He didn’t have to go into Vietnam, he wanted to go – that was the kind of person he was.”
Representatives of Lumm’s family said he was born in Albany, May 7, 1948, attended school in New Berlin, and graduated on June 25, 1966. The family said he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army later that year on November 23, 1966.
They said Lumm graduated from Fort Dix in 1966. He was stationed in Khe, Vietnam. Around that time he received his award of the Air Medal and Citation for more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory.
They added that he also received his second Oak Leaf Cluster in action, and was promoted to SP5.
His funeral was held September 25, 1968, with military honors in the Fort Sam Houston Chapel in Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
At the time of his funeral a fund towards the New Berlin Ambulance was raised in memory of Lumm. That ambulance service still exists in New Berlin today.
The sole survivor of the family, Carol Lumm said she will be present at the New Berlin Veteran’s Day event.
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