HINESVILLE – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) celebrated the official renaming of the Hinesville Veterans Affairs Clinic to the John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic in honor of four First Congressional District heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War.
This ceremony comes after Carter’s bill, H.R. 593, was signed into law in May with support from every member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation.
“I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment and credit the amazing residents of Liberty County with giving these brave young heroes the permanent recognition they deserve in the home they gave their lives to protect,” said Rep. Carter. “This VA Clinic is only a small example of the immense gratitude that our district has for the service members who defend our liberties every single day.”
BACKGROUND
John Gibson was born on September 12, 1946, in Riceboro, Georgia. He joined the United States Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Private First Class. Mr. Gibson arrived in Vietnam on October 12, 1967, with the 1st Marine Division, and was killed by small arms fire during the Tet Offensive on February 7, 1968. He was only twenty-one years old.
Dan James was born on March 20, 1948, in Riceboro, Georgia. He was drafted into the United States Army and shipped off to Vietnam in September of 1968. While with his unit in the 25th Infantry Division, he was killed by small arms fire on December 29, 1968. He was only twenty years old.
William Sapp was born on March 12, 1943, in Hinesville, Georgia. He was drafted into the United States Army and shipped off to Vietnam in November of 1967. While in country with his unit the 4th Infantry Division, he was killed by multiple fragmentation wounds on June 7, 1968. He was only twenty-five years old.
Frankie Lee Smiley was born on May 18, 1944, in Liberty County, GA. He joined the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. He arrived in Vietnam in January 1968 with the 1st Marine Division and was killed by small arms fire on August 25th, 1968. He was only twenty-four years old.
