1564th VIETNAM VETERAN ADDED TO NJ VIETNAM VETERANS’ MEMORIAL WALL

HOLMDEL – In an historic ceremony, Vietnam Veteran Petty Officer Third Class James E. Gosselin, killed in action in 1968, became the 1564^th veteran to have his name inscribed on the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Petty Officer Third Class James Edward Gosselin served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.  During the Vietnam War, he was killed in action on February 2, 1968.  Due to a clerical error, he was recorded as being from another state. However, “Big Jim”, as his friends called him in high school, was born and raised in Pleasantville, New Jersey.

“We are thrilled to pay proper tribute to the memory and service of Petty Officer Third Class James E. Gosselin, who heroically gave his life for our country in the Vietnam War and was previously not recognized as a New Jersey servicemember,” said Amy Osborn, Chief Executive Officer for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation.  “Honoring the lives of Vietnam Veterans and preserving our history for generations to come is the mission of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Foundation. That means ensuring every single veteran from New Jersey is remembered on our Memorial Wall, and today, we honor James E. Gosselin as the 1564^th.  We are so grateful to his Pleasantville friends and classmates, who worked tirelessly to make sure Big Jim’s contributions to our country will forever be included in New Jersey’s Vietnam history.”

Fellow former residents of Pleasantville, NJ, the Pleasantville High School Marching Band, and the Pleasantville High School Jr. ROTC participated in the ceremony to honor Gosselin’s memory.  The ceremony was also attended by numerous military color guards, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Rolling Thunder, Miss New Jersey Victoria Mozitis, and state and local officials.

Bill Leipold, a former Pleasantville, NJ resident, and Vietnam Veteran himself, spoke about how the veterans’ community worked together with Pleasantville High School graduates to ensure Gosselin’s name was added to the Memorial Wall.

“My home-town Pleasantville graduates and I set out on a mission to ensure James Gosselin was honored on the Wall for his heroic service in Vietnam, and today that goal has been achieved,” said Leipold.  “We are grateful to NJVVM’s CEO Amy Osborn for making this a top priority since she began her position at the Foundation. It means so much to the community of Pleasantville and the Class of 1960 that the name and memory of Officer Gosselin is honored among his 1564 New Jersey brothers and sister who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country in the Vietnam War.”

Cementing his place in New Jersey’s Vietnam War history, Gosselin’s name was etched onto the wall as a donation from Long Branch Monument Company.

About New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Museum and Education Center:

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation is committed to sharing the experiences of the Vietnam War Era and its enduring legacy with future generations. Located in Holmdel, New Jersey, the Memorial is open 24 hours a day and 7 days week.  The Vietnam Era Museum and Education Center is the first Vietnam war museum of its kind in the United States. Dedicated in September 1998, the Museum provides political, cultural, and historical context for the Memorial. For more information, visit www.njvvmf.org. 

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