Lonnie Dean Hartsock

Lonnie D. Hartsock joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 before graduating from Wapello High School. LCPL Hartsock trained to be a photographer before being sent to Vietnam. He arrived overseas in 1965 with the 3rd Marine Division as part of the build of forces in and around Danang. LCPL Hartsock took a rest and relaxation trip to Hong Kong in August 1965. On the flight back to Danang the Lockheed KC-130F Hercules Marine transport plane crashed into the Hong Cong Harbor. The crash killed 59 of the 65 aboard, including LCPL Hartsock and two other Iowans. During take-off the aircraft’s engine experienced a malfunction, and then hit a sea wall before crashing into the harbor. The 20-year-old was buried at the Wapello Cemetery.