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Fairview Park Marine Killed In Vietnam, Honored 50 Years Later

Two Marine Corps League members fold an American flag during the ceremony in Fairview Park to honor  James Patrick Witt.
Two Marine Corps League members fold an American flag during the ceremony in Fairview Park to honor James Patrick Witt. [Tim Dubravetz / ideastream]

If you visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, look on panel 32-W, line 35. There you'll see the name, James Patrick Witt.

The oldest of six kids, Jim graduated in 1965 from Saint Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. Less than four years later, on February 14, 1969, Lieutenant Witt lost his life while serving with the Marine Corps in Vietnam.

Fifty years after his death, his family, former classmates, fellow marines and the girlfriend he wrote to religiously gathered to honor Jim Witt and his ultimate sacrifice. Mike McIntyre, himself a St. Ed's grad, attended this special memorial.

Read more in Mike McIntyre's Plain Dealer column

stephanie.jarvis@ideastream.org | 216-916-6340