In early 2001, I received an email message from Captain McKinley's son, telling me his father should be on our roster page. I wrote his son back and asked if he could tell me a little about his dad. His dad hadn't talked about Vietnam, so his son could not tell me much. He did, however, get his dad to write. Below is the message I received from Captain McKinley. Thanks for writing, Jack, and thanks for filling us in our tour and your status now.
My name is John J McKinley. I was CO of Headquarters Co. 2nd of the 28th in the late spring of 68. LTC Coffey was the boss at that time. In the summer of 68 I became the CO of Bravo Co. I held that post for about 3 months, until we were sent in to set up "Fire Base Julie" About the 21st of Oct, 68, I was wounded for the second time and was medivaced out and I never returned to Bravo Co. I was hospitalized in VN, Japan and finally sent back to the States where I continued my hospitalization for another year. I have not discussed the time in Viet Nam with my family much, and that is what peaked my Son's interest, I guess. The site brings back memories that I have blocked out for a long time.
Regards,
Captain John J. McKinley, USA Retired
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