Remembering a War in Vietnam

Stephen H. Hamblen, Tennessee-Knoxville, served in the Republic of South Vietnam from July 1970 - June 1971. He received the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam.

While an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, he was Noble Ruler of Alpha Kappa Chapter from 1968-1969.

Since returning from active duty, Stephen has been employed as an insurance agent with Tennessee Farmers Insurance Companies based in Columbia, Tennessee. He currently serves as agency manager of the Knox County Farm Bureau which has more than 13,000 members.

Stephen is immediate past president of the Knoxville CLU/ChFC Chapter, past president of Kiwanis Club of Knoxville and currently serves on the board of the Knoxville Quarterback Club. He is married and has two grown children and one granddaughter. Both children are UTK graduates and his son is also an AGR alumnus.n

By: T. David Miller, Rutgers

I would like to share a small moment of Brother Stephen Brague’s, Rutgers, life — a helicopter pilot, killed in Vietnam on January 7, 1967.Our house mascot was Clancy, an Irish Setter, who spent his summers with the Brague family and was attached to Steve.

In late evening on January 6, 1967, Clancy howled on the house porch, never having done so before and never again. Considering the time change it was late morning, January 7th, in Vietnam, the time Steve was killed. I still get shivers when I recall this.n

By: William "Bill" Boe, Georgia

As a member of the Florida Jaycees, I directed a two-year fundraising effort to provide the funds to inscribe the names of Florida’s 1,969 Vietnam MIAs and KIAs on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. For that effort, I received the General Chappie James Memorial Award and was named Florida’s 1983 Outstanding American.

I was a member of the Georgia Chapter, when I enlisted in the Army Infantry in January 1967. I served with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Inf., 4th Inf. Division from Summer 1967 to Summer 1968.

I received two Purple Hearts for wounds received in action.

It should be noted that Lt. Henry Gnann, Georgia, was killed in action in 1969. Henry was a Christian gentleman and an inspiration to all of us at the Georgia Chapter. He was the 500th initiate of Alpha Eta Chapter.n

[ AGR News | SICKLE & SHEAF | AGR's Home Page | @g online ]