Ghosts of the Battlefield

Ghosts of the Battlefield We are a small, privately owned museum in Virginia Beach, VA. Our mission is to preserve and present the history and heritage of the United States Military.

Ghosts of the Battlefield is charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Specialist Four Jimmy Dean Cumbee came from the small town of Twin City, Georgia, and answered his nation’s call during ...
06/03/2026

Specialist Four Jimmy Dean Cumbee came from the small town of Twin City, Georgia, and answered his nation’s call during the Vietnam War through the Selective Service System. After entering the Army, he arrived in Vietnam on October 12, 1968, and was assigned as a light weapons infantryman with D Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Light Infantry Brigade. The brigade operated throughout Quảng Ngãi Province, an area that remained one of the most active and dangerous battlegrounds of the war, where enemy forces moved through villages, rice paddies, and jungle-covered hills in a relentless struggle for control.

As an infantryman, Cumbee lived the difficult life of the combat soldier. Long patrols, sudden ambushes, and the constant threat of mines and b***y traps were part of daily life for the men of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. Success depended on courage, endurance, and trust in the soldiers serving beside you. Like so many young Americans in Vietnam, Cumbee faced those challenges far from home, carrying out his duty under conditions that tested both body and spirit.

On June 3, 1969, during combat operations in Quảng Ngãi Province, Specialist Four Cumbee suffered multiple fragmentation wounds as a result of hostile action. Despite receiving medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries. He was just 20 years old.

His sacrifice reflects the heavy price paid by the infantrymen of the Vietnam War. Jimmy Dean Cumbee left the fields and communities of Emanuel County to serve his country, and in doing so gave everything he had. Today, he is remembered as a Georgia son, an American soldier, and a member of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade whose service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Private First Class Willie James Baker came from Scott, Mississippi, in the heart of Bolivar County. Drafted into the U....
06/02/2026

Private First Class Willie James Baker came from Scott, Mississippi, in the heart of Bolivar County. Drafted into the U.S. Army through the Selective Service System, he arrived in Vietnam on December 12, 1966, and was assigned to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Like thousands of young Americans sent to Southeast Asia, Baker found himself serving with one of the Army's most battle-tested units during a period of intense combat operations.

As a light weapons infantryman, Baker carried the burden of the frontline soldier's war. The troopers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry were heavily engaged in search-and-destroy missions throughout central Vietnam, often operating in rugged terrain against determined enemy forces. During these operations, Baker distinguished himself through acts of extraordinary courage, earning the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" Device for valor in action. The award recognized his gallantry under fire and his willingness to place himself in danger in service to his fellow soldiers.

On March 11, 1967, near Phú Ninh in Bình Định Province, Baker's war came to an end. During combat operations, he was killed by hostile small arms fire. He was only 20 years old.

His story is one of courage, sacrifice, and duty. A Mississippi farm boy became a cavalry trooper in one of America's most famous divisions and earned recognition for valor before giving his life in combat. Today, Willie James Baker is remembered not only as a Bronze Star recipient, but as a son of Mississippi, a soldier of the 1st Cavalry Division, and a young man whose courage under fire reflected the highest traditions of military service.

Sometimes history finds its way home in the most unexpected ways.During the U.S. military intervention in the Dominican ...
06/02/2026

Sometimes history finds its way home in the most unexpected ways.

During the U.S. military intervention in the Dominican Republic in 1965, a young lieutenant found himself being questioned by a group of Military Policemen from the 82nd Airborne Division. Apparently deciding that a little payback was in order, he did what many soldiers throughout history have done when presented with an opportunity—he liberated a souvenir. His prize? The unit sign mounted on the MPs’ jeep.

For decades, that sign remained a treasured reminder of a brief and memorable encounter between paratroopers and a determined young officer. Today, that same sign has found a new home on our M-38A1 jeep, “Patchwork.”

Like the jeep itself, the sign carries its own story—one of service, humor, and the timeless tradition of soldiers collecting a little piece of history whenever they can get away with it. Sometimes the best artifacts aren’t the ones issued through official channels; they’re the ones acquired through a bit of military ingenuity and a healthy sense of mischief.

Every dent, patch, and artifact on Patchwork tells a story. This one just happens to involve an 82nd Airborne MP jeep and a lieutenant who wasn’t about to leave empty-handed.

First Lieutenant Joseph R. Poxon Jr. came from Detroit, Michigan, and answered his nation’s call during the Vietnam War....
06/02/2026

First Lieutenant Joseph R. Poxon Jr. came from Detroit, Michigan, and answered his nation’s call during the Vietnam War. Commissioned as an Army officer after entering service in 1967, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division and eventually became a platoon leader in one of the war’s most dangerous combat zones. Like many young officers in Vietnam, Poxon carried the immense responsibility of leading soldiers in battle, often from the front where the danger was greatest.

On June 2, 1969, during fierce combat in Tây Ninh Province near the Cambodian border, Poxon’s platoon came under intense enemy fire. When one of his soldiers was wounded and exposed to enemy fire, Poxon immediately moved forward to help him. In the process, he was seriously wounded himself. Refusing evacuation and ignoring his own injuries, he continued to direct his men and lead the attack. Demonstrating extraordinary courage, he pressed forward against enemy positions and personally participated in the destruction of a hostile bunker that was holding up the advance.

Although gravely wounded, Poxon remained focused on the mission and the welfare of his soldiers until he was fatally struck by enemy fire. His actions inspired the men around him and helped turn the tide of the engagement. For his conspicuous gallantry, selfless leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Joseph R. Poxon Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor.

He was only 24 years old.

Today, Joseph Poxon is remembered as a Detroit native, a combat leader, and a Medal of Honor recipient whose courage embodied the finest traditions of the United States Army. His sacrifice remains a lasting example of leadership under fire and devotion to his fellow soldiers.

Sergeant David Graham Campbell came from Southfield, Michigan, and answered his country's call during one of the most tu...
06/02/2026

Sergeant David Graham Campbell came from Southfield, Michigan, and answered his country's call during one of the most turbulent periods of the Vietnam War. Drafted into the U.S. Army through the Selective Service System, he arrived in Vietnam on August 27, 1969, and was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Known as the "Triple Deuce," the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry had earned a hard-fought reputation for aggressive combat operations throughout South Vietnam, particularly in the dangerous border regions near Cambodia.

As a light weapons infantryman and noncommissioned officer, Campbell carried the responsibility of leading younger soldiers through hostile terrain where enemy contact could come without warning. By the spring of 1970, the 25th Infantry Division was heavily engaged in operations throughout Tây Ninh Province, an area marked by dense jungle, hidden enemy bases, and frequent firefights with North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.

On June 2, 1970, Sergeant Campbell was killed by hostile small arms fire during combat operations in Tây Ninh Province. He was 23 years old. His death came while serving at the front with the men he led, sharing the same dangers and hardships that defined the infantryman's war in Vietnam.

Today, David Graham Campbell is remembered not only as a soldier of the famed Triple Deuce, but as a son of Michigan, a combat leader, and an American who gave his life in service to his country. His sacrifice stands among those of the many infantrymen whose courage and dedication helped define the legacy of the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.

Sergeant First Class Bruce E. Boyer had already built a career of service before arriving in Vietnam. Born in North King...
06/02/2026

Sergeant First Class Bruce E. Boyer had already built a career of service before arriving in Vietnam. Born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, on November 27, 1938, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose through the ranks to become a member of the elite 5th Special Forces Group. Assigned to Detachment A-441, Boyer served among the Green Berets who worked in some of the most remote and dangerous areas of South Vietnam, training indigenous forces, gathering intelligence, and conducting unconventional warfare missions far from the spotlight of larger conventional operations.

Boyer arrived in Vietnam on October 7, 1966, bringing with him experience, leadership, and the professionalism expected of a Special Forces noncommissioned officer. Although his military specialty was listed as a light vehicle driver, men in Special Forces detachments often performed multiple duties, adapting to whatever the mission required. The small A-Detachment camps depended heavily on seasoned NCOs like Boyer, whose leadership and technical skills helped keep these isolated outposts functioning.

On June 2, 1967, while serving in Quảng Nam Province, Sergeant First Class Boyer lost his life in a non-hostile incident. He was 28 years old. While his death did not come during direct combat, his sacrifice was no less real. Vietnam claimed lives in many ways, and the dangers of serving in a war zone extended far beyond enemy fire.

Today, Bruce E. Boyer is remembered as a Green Beret, a professional soldier, and a member of the legendary 5th Special Forces Group. His service reflects the quiet dedication of the Special Forces soldiers who operated in remote corners of Vietnam, often without recognition, but whose contributions were vital to the war effort. His sacrifice remains part of the enduring legacy of the Green Berets who served in Southeast Asia.

Specialist Four Duane Roy Baumgardner came from the small town of Cloverdale in California's Sonoma County, but his path...
06/02/2026

Specialist Four Duane Roy Baumgardner came from the small town of Cloverdale in California's Sonoma County, but his path would eventually lead him to the battlefields of Vietnam. Drafted into the U.S. Army through the Selective Service System, he arrived in-country on October 6, 1968, and was assigned as a light weapons infantryman with D Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. As part of one of the Army's most storied combat units, Baumgardner served alongside fellow cavalry troopers in the dangerous border regions of South Vietnam, where enemy forces moved through dense jungle and along hidden routes connecting Cambodia and Vietnam.

By the spring of 1969, the 1st Cavalry Division was heavily engaged in operations throughout Tây Ninh Province, an area known for fierce fighting and constant enemy activity. It was here, on June 2, 1969, that Specialist Four Baumgardner was killed in action after suffering multiple fragmentation wounds during hostile combat operations. He was only 20 years old.

Like so many young Americans who served in Vietnam, Duane Baumgardner left behind family, friends, and dreams that would never be realized. His sacrifice became part of the long and costly history of the 1st Cavalry Division's service in Southeast Asia. Today, we remember him not simply as a casualty of war, but as a California son, a cavalry trooper, and a young infantryman who answered his nation's call and gave everything in return.

So, given that I must have patched at least 150 holes in this old jeep by now, I’ve decided to give her a name: “Patchwo...
06/02/2026

So, given that I must have patched at least 150 holes in this old jeep by now, I’ve decided to give her a name: “Patchwork.”

She may not be the youngest girl at the dance, and she’s certainly collected a few scars along the way, but every dent, weld, and patch tells a story. What she lacks in beauty-pageant credentials, she makes up for in character, grit, and determination.

With a little paint, a lot of patience, and more patch panels than I care to count, Patchwork is slowly coming back to life. She might not turn every head on the road, but she’ll definitely turn a few—and she’ll have earned every glance.

Sometimes the best restorations aren’t about making something perfect. They’re about preserving the history written in every flaw.

Welcome to the fleet, Patchwork.

June 1, 1971.Hậu Nghĩa Province.For my family, this story is personal.George H. “Butch” Glawson Jr. was a childhood frie...
06/01/2026

June 1, 1971.

Hậu Nghĩa Province.

For my family, this story is personal.

George H. “Butch” Glawson Jr. was a childhood friend of my father.

On that day, Butch was serving as a helicopter pilot with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company, one of the Army aviation units supporting combat operations in III Corps. Like so many aviators in Vietnam, he climbed into his aircraft knowing that every mission carried risks that few people back home could fully understand.

Aircraft #68-16313 was conducting operations over Hậu Nghĩa Province when disaster struck.

Without warning, the helicopter exploded in mid-air.

Witnesses and investigators considered the possibility that the aircraft may have been struck by an artillery round, but the incident was ultimately classified as a non-hostile loss. Whatever the cause, there was no chance of recovery.

The aircraft fell from the sky, taking with it four crewmen and three MACV personnel.

Among them was George “Butch” Glawson Jr.

Think about that moment.

One second, a crew is carrying out another mission over Vietnam.

The next, families, friends, and hometowns are forever changed.

For many Americans, the Vietnam War is measured in battles and statistics. For others, it is measured in names. A friend from childhood. A familiar face from school. Someone whose absence was felt for the rest of a lifetime.

That is how George Glawson is remembered.

Not simply as a pilot lost in a helicopter crash.

But as “Butch.”

A friend.

A son.

A young American who never came home.

Today we remember George H. “Butch” Glawson Jr. and the six other men lost aboard aircraft #68-16313 on June 1, 1971.

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of one of the giants of Army aviation and one of America’s most respec...
06/01/2026

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of one of the giants of Army aviation and one of America’s most respected heroes.

Colonel Bruce P. Crandall, U.S. Army (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 93. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced that he died peacefully at his home in Arizona. With his passing, only 63 living Medal of Honor recipients remain. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)

To many, he will forever be known as the Huey pilot of the Ia Drang Valley.

On November 14, 1965, then-Major Bruce Crandall was leading helicopters of the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion during the Battle of Ia Drang at Landing Zone X-Ray. When enemy fire became so intense that helicopter operations were suspended, Crandall refused to abandon the soldiers on the ground. Flying directly into a landing zone swept by enemy fire, he repeatedly returned with ammunition, supplies, and evacuation space for the wounded. By the end of the day, he had completed 22 flights into one of the most dangerous battlefields of the war, helping save countless American lives. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)

His actions became one of the defining stories of courage in Army aviation history.

More than forty years later, on February 26, 2007, he received the Medal of Honor for the extraordinary heroism he displayed that day in the Ia Drang Valley. (U.S. Army)

For many Vietnam veterans, Bruce Crandall represented the very best of what a combat leader should be. Humble, approachable, and fiercely devoted to the men he served beside, he spent decades ensuring that the stories of those who fought and died in Vietnam would never be forgotten.

Today we remember not only a Medal of Honor recipient, but a husband, father, soldier, aviator, and member of a rapidly shrinking generation of American heroes.

Fair winds, Colonel Crandall.

The skies are yours once again.

Address

1329 Harpers Road Suite 103
Virginia Beach, VA
23454

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+17573018718

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