2LT Vasilios Demetris, New York, NY on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

For years it has been considered by many that Fennimore suffered three losses in the Vietnam War Era. Staff Sergeant Donald Lavern Smith, US Army and Corporal Francis Trainor Mulvey, US Army were killed in action in the Republic of Vietnam on December 21, 1967 and August 26, 1968 respectively. Private Allan "Pete" Novinska, US Army, passed away during training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on August 28, 1968. According to some sources a fourth loss, Vasilios "Bill" Demetris, is listed as being from Fennimore.

Demetris was born on April 18, 1945 in Thasco, Greece and was raised in the State of New York. He attended Wisconsin State University-Platteville where he was a sweeper back defender and Captain of Platteville's first intercollegiate soccer team. He led the team to NAIA District 14 championships in 1964 and 1965. He was known for playing every minute of every game for four seasons. He displayed versatility by playing other positions as needed in addition to being instrumental in instructing more junior and inexperienced players.

He was a member of the Lambda Sigma Pi (LSP) Fraternity and the Letterman's Club. In 2000 he was inducted Platteville's Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 1967, posthumously.

It was at Platteville where he met Judith K. "Judy" Shea, daughter of Florence Milz and James Shea. She was native of Fennimore and member of the Fennimore High School Class of 1963. Judy and Bill were married on 7 March, 1968 in Manassas, Virginia. Interestingly Judy appears in the same St. Mary's 1st-3rd grade class picture (1952-1953) as Donald Smith and Francis Mulvey. Also, in that picture is Vietnam war hero Larry Smith, brother of Donald and the brother and sister of Pete Novinska.

3rd Grade Photo. Notice names for Demetris, Smith, Mulvey, and Novinska.

After graduating with a major in English in August 1967, Demetris attended Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on February 1, 1968, and then completed officer training at The Basic School Class 8-68: Hotel Company. Of the 238 of the class, 11 would give their lives in Vietnam. He then attended the US Army Artillery Officer Basic Course at Ft Sill, Oklahoma.

He reported to Vietnam on January 8, 1969 and was assigned to A Battery, 1st Battalion 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On January 24th Demetris was wounded by a booby trap and awarded a Purple Heart Medal. Just a month later he served as a Forward Artillery Observer with Company D, First Battalion First Marines, First Marine Division. On February 24, when the platoon came under fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit, Second Lieutenant Demetris was fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy force to adjust supporting arms fire when he was mortally wounded. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device or Combat "V".

Lieutenant Vasilios Demetris is buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York. His mother, Kalliope (Magoutsos) (1907-2000) and father, Leonidas Demetris (1890-1957) a US Army Veteran, are buried with son Bill in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.

Judy Shea Demetris first received his Purple Heart and several other awards immediately after his death.

At a later date, she received Bill's Bronze Star Medal for valor from Wisconsin's Governor Warren Knowles.

In addition to Demetris' Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device "V", are the Purple Heart Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Frame and Palm (Unit Citation), the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal with Frame and Palm (Unit Citation) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

To honor Lt Demetris, considered to be the fourth Fennimore casualty of the Vietnam War Era, a shadow box with his awards has been presented to the Whitish Funk American Legion Post for display in the Legion Hall. This display is similar to those previously presented to the Post which honor SSgt Donald Smith and CPL Francis Mulvey.

Lieutenant Demetris was one of 58,220 servicemen killed during a war in which 2.7 million Americans served from 1964 to 1975. Although 50 years have passed since he sacrificed his life in the service of our Country he should always be in the hearts and minds of all Americans and have our gratitude. Semper fi-Marine!

LtCol Mac Kolar USMC (Retired), Vietnam, of Moyock, North Carolina and Fennimore native. Colonel Kolar is responsible for the research of Smith, Mulvey and Demetris' service and assembling the award displays and donating them to the American legion.

- - The Virtual Wall, October 24, 2019