The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System will host a renaming ceremony for its outpatient clinic to honor four Vietnam War Veterans from Liberty County, Georgia, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The clinic will be renamed the John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic during a ceremony Dec. 2, at 11:00 a.m. Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) and Scott Isaacks, director and CEO of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System will deliver remarks.
The renaming follows the passage of H.R. 593, introduced by Carter and signed by President Biden, May 13, 2024 after a community-driven initiative to recognize these Veterans' service.
"It's an honor to be able to recognize these four brave men who sacrificed everything for our nation," said Isaacks. "We will not stop recognizing our nation's heroes and are committed to ensuring that all Veterans receive the care and recognition they deserve.”
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.
