Delmer Lee Ferris

Delmer Lee Ferris was a farm kid from Mapleton whose large frame, red hair, and smile made him a familiar sight. He attended Mapleton High School for two years, finished school in Kansas and completed three years of college there. He joined the Army in 1964 and was assigned to the 140th Transportation Detachment responsible for cargo helicopter field maintenance. On February 10th, 1965 his unit was billeted at the Viet Cuong Hotel in Qui Nhon. Early in the war it was not unusual for troops to sleep in a civilian facility. During the night Viet Cong sappers slipped into the building and detonated a 100 pound plastic charge, collapsing the four story building and killing 23 Americans. It was one of the first terrorist attacks by the VC and put the American military on notice that troops required greater security. PFC Ferris was buried in the St. Clair Cemetery in Ute.