Jerry Lang O'NanPrivate First ClassE CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV United States Marine Corps 07 November 1946 - 04 May 1966 Lexington, Kentucky Panel 07E Line 027 |
 
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The database page for Jerry Lang O'Nan
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Jerry Lang O'Nan was my son, age 19 when he was killed in Vietnam, May 04,1966. Jerry was a good boy , he had lots of friends and never was a bad word said about him from anyone. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps a week before his 18th birthday. He came home on his last leave in December 1965 . He left for Vietnam Jan 03, 1966. Jerry and three other Marines were killed by a land mine, he had served nineteen months. Now that we have this new war and I see our boys being brought home with flag draped coffins I relive it all over again. I know I will never get over the loss of my son.
Nora O'Nan |
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Jerry, although I never met you I feel I know you through your friends - Richard talks of you often. I know how much your buddies miss you. I was 5 years old that day, I wish you could be here today because we all miss you. Thank you, Mr O'Nan, your service to our country will never be forgotten!!! Semper Fidelis, Marine!
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Jerry was one of the finest persons that ever lived, he was so nice and kind to me. He was so fun to be with. I can think of him and it seems like yesterday, it is hard to think it has been almost forty years. It still hurts my heart to know he died so young, but I am proud to say he was the bravest person I ever knew. Thank you Jerry for being my friend. Love, Ken.
From a friend, |
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38 years have gone by. How time has flown. You have been honored and remembered all this time. I visit you often at Camp Nelson and your friendship will always mean a lot to me. I will never forget you and one day will help you and my Dad guard the streets of heaven. Say hello to my Dad and get him to tell you all about Iwo Jima. I will never forget your smile and I will see it again one day. I always wanted to say thanks for that visit you paid me in boot camp in 1965. Semper Fidelis
From a Marine Corps Brother, |
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I would like to say "Thank you" to one of the greatest
From your niece, |
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My wife, Margery Hulette (Heskamp), and I never knew Jerry O'Nan, but Margie is a niece of his mother. Only recently were they reunited, and we learned of Jerry and this web site. We join the long list of fellow Americans who cherish those who gave their life so we might have ours. When they left school, they went to war ... not to college or career. When they failed to return home, we wept at their sacrifice. And, as his mother noted above, we still do.
From the husband of a cousin, Margery Hulette, |
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Jerry, I was twelve years old when you left us 38 years ago. I wish your nieces and nephews could have known their Uncle Jerry. They all should know what and why their Uncle died for. I had so many questions over the years, and now that Dad and our brother Earl have passed I will never get the answers. I know that you are together in heaven. You three left a tough act to follow, the rest of us can only try to live up to your example. I am so proud of you and for what you have done for me.
Mom and Joe send their love. I love you,
From his brother, |
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I never knew Jerry. He was my Father's first cousin. I was born in 1965 and he left us in 1966. If nothing else is ever said about the O'Nan men, remember this. When our Country needed us we served. Unfortunately, Jerry, in the last three generations, is the only one to have paid the supreme price for our freedom. I often think about what I would say to him if he were here. Since I served my Country as my Father before me and his Father before him, I know some of what he went through while he was serving. What hurts the most is I will have to wait to tell him how grateful I am for the sacrifice he made so that I can be who I am and live with freedoms I have. Jerry, I know that Heaven waits for me. When I get there I want to shake your hand or hug your neck.
From a second cousin, |
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Jerry, we all miss you. I have known you forever ... it was such a shame to lose someone like you. I am proud of what you did for your country and for me. There wwere a lot who went to Canada but you believed in this country. Thank you so much - you gave your all. I will always remember the fun times we had on the farm and with the rabbits.
From a good friend, |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe 2/4 Marines Command Chronology says that an element of Echo 2/4 was hit by a Claymore mine while moving to an ambush site. Two men were killed by the mine, three wounded severely enough to require evacuation, and one received minor wounds. The two dead were Pfc Jerry L. O'Nan and LCpl Estel Huskey of Sevierville, Tennessee.
Private First Class, United States Marine Corps, was buried on 23 May 1966 in Site 798-G, Section C, Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, Kentucky, among other men of courage and integrity. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 30 Apr 2004
Last updated 08/10/2009