March 29 is recognized as Vietnam War Veterans Day. More than 3 million people, including more than 58,000 Americans, lost their lives in the controversial war. Many young Americans and shipbuilders were drafted into service from 1964 to 1973 to battle the ongoing threat of communism in Southeast Asia.

“Following this brutal conflict, many Vietnam veterans did not get the medical attention or respect that any warrior deserves after coming back from battle,” said Mike Altrogge, chair of Newport News Shipbuilding’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG).

VERG encourages NNS employees to take some time this week to reflect on the sacrifices that many shipbuilders and family members made. Read the stories of four shipbuilders listed below who served during the Vietnam War on MyNNS.

William “Wild Bill” Rowe (E92)
Joseph Caden (O35)
Jack Darden (O68)
Jim Borden (E84)