Samoan Vietnam War Heroes
Faamausili Moli Maleitoa
Joe Kleis
Former Senator: Mr.
Vaila'a Tuilefano
from the village of Malaeloa American Samoa.
Retired: U.S. Marine Corps.
1 st. Sargent Vaila'a Tuilefano
Served with the 1 st. Marine Corps. Division
in Viet Nam. Recieved the Purple Heart for being wounded in action the last
of 4 Tours of Duty off the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S Enterprise, and many other
Medals and Decorations during his 30 years of Service.
Leroy Tuimanua
Leroy Tuimanua, son of Henry Davidson and Tagiilima Ripley served two tours in
Vietnam.During the war he went by the name Leroy Davidson.
Konelio Pele Sr
Konelio Pele Sr.was one of the heroes from Samoa.He also helped to start up the R.O.T.C. programs is Samoa, and was popular enough to have a cargo freighter named after him
Suitupu R. Sevaaetasi
My father and I believe
his brothers served in the war. His brothers are
deceased now and he still is living in Samoa. My father would tell us war
stories when he was in vietnam. He went through alot and so as our family
because of the effect it took on him. There were several times he had gotten
hurt, but this one particular time I remember. It was a time he thought he
wasnt going to make it back home. He had gotten severely hurt(you can still
see his wounds on his neck, arms, legs, from getting shot) Red cross or one
the services that were there to help the soldiers had made my dad make his
last request on a 45 record. Where he had told my mom how much he loved her
and of course his children. The record was sent...but at that time my dad
found the will to survive and press foward. I remember him telling us it was
his faith in God. They were going to amputate both his legs but he told them
God had given him legs to walk and that is what he is going to do with it.
Luckily the news about my dad's recovery reached my mom before the record
did. And God watched over him and answered his prayers. His return home was
difficult, because the flashback. But my mother kept us all together, she was
the noble wife, mother that God blessed my Daddy with. They now live in
Samoa, been together over 50 years. They have grandchildren, great
grandchildren and my father still tells his war stories he told us to our
children. I love my father and he does deserve to be recoginzed. His name is
Suitupu R. Sevaaetasi from the village of Pago Pago and resides in the
village of Masefau with my mother Ioana Sevaaetasi. (My brothers also served
in the war and I do believe one of them has a purple heart-medal not sure)
There are more I know who are probaby still out there, Samoans who survived
the war...we need to salute to them all. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,.
Susan Sevaaetasi