07 Jun 2001 "Chip" Houghtaling grew up in the small town of Canajoharie, New York, the eldest of several brothers and sisters. As a young boy, we all played at his house, which served as the town's funeral home. His Dad, Floyd Houghtaling, Sr, was the "Funeral Director" in our town in the 1960's. We would hide in the basement in coffins for hide and seek with his younger Brothers and Sisters. He was much older than I, but I remember well when we found out that "our Chip" was Killed in Action onboard ship. The way we played showed that ALL were young once. His family was special, and I know it was hard for his father when Chip came home. Our entire town was shocked, and the nightly news on TV did not sink in until then. We all saw the footage of the war on TV, but when we heard about Chip, we all felt it in our hearts at that time. Later on, after high school, I joined the Navy, and on those lonely nights at sea would sit on the "fantail" and think of him. I was involved just before the pull out in 1975, but I can't help but think of Chip every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when I place flowers on the markers of all the great Veterans I can find. I am proud to have served, along with my Dad in World War Two. To this day, Chip is in my prayers. I can not make it to Washington to find his name, since I am disabled and cannot travel far. I would be eternally grateful to see Chip's name on this The Virtual Wall. In Jesus' name, AMEN. From his friend, Dave Smith ke4uei@gate.net

 

Photo provided by his brother, Steven Houghtaling stvho@citlink.net 13 June 2002

 

08 Jun 2006 REMEMBERED by a friend and school-mate, Larry Horning Fort Plain mudundertaker@yahoo.com

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY (LST-1167) was one of the first Naval vessels engaged in Vietnam, departing Naha, Okinawa, on 9 August 1964, for extended operations off Vietnam in the South China Sea. In 1965 and 1966, she participated in a number of Marine lifts into Vietnam, including three amphibious landings. In late 1966 she served as the "mother ship" for MARKET TIME coastal patrol ships operating along the Ca Mau Peninsula coastal area. In 1967, she performed various duties before serving as a Mobile Riverine Force support ship in the Mekong Delta from 24 October through 26 January 1968. At that time she returned to lift duties before entering a repair availability from 16 July through 22 September, when she resumed duty with the Mobile Riverine Forces. Tragedy struck on 1 November while WESTCHESTER COUNTY lay anchored in the My Tho River, Vietnam. Two underwater explosions ripped WESTCHESTER COUNTY, killing 25 men. The enemy mines had been attached to the hull about midship on the starboard side, rupturing berthing compartments and fuel and storage tanks. The day following the explosion, the entire Mobile Riverine Force moved from My Tho to Dong Tam. Floyd W. Houghtaling was one of the 25 men killed in the explosions. VISIT THE USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY and The Virtual Wall Unit Memorial

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