Vietnam War

Pictured above: U.S. Army helicopters hover overhead soldiers in North of Tay Ninh, Vietnam. Photo credit: Horst Faas (AP) via The Atlantic

Terriers in Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, Boston University’s students, faculty, and alumni answered the call to defend freedom, serving with distinction across the globe. From Saigon to Huế, they served with unwavering courage, embodying the values of duty and sacrifice. Some gave their lives in the pursuit of victory, leaving behind a legacy of honor that continues to inspire future generations. Their commitment to service reflects the enduring spirit of Terriers—leaders dedicated to a just and free world.

9 members of the Boston University community gave their lives fighting in Vietnam—these are their names:

EX = Expected Graduation
CAS = College of Arts and Sciences

GRA = Graduate School

Name	Service	Rank	Hometown	State	Class Year
Baird, James S.	Air Force	1LT	Weymouth	MA	ex.’68
Casey, James P.	Army	Warrant Officer	Watertown	MA	ex.’69
Dunne Jr, Paul H.	Army	CPL	Newton	MA
Grandea, Ambrosio Salazar	Army	MAJ	Baltimore	MD	GRA
McArthur, John D.	Army	2LT	Somerville	MA	CAS’67
Rich, Peter B.	Army	1LT	Wakefield	MA	ex.’67
Skebeck Jr., Edward J.	Marine Corps	LCpl	Rochester	NY
Skinner II, Gordon A.	Army	CPT	Framingham	MA	CAS’66
Zozula, Nickolaus C.	Army	SP4	Roslindale	MA	CAS’68

Financial support from our alumni, friends, and family members helps to enrich the ROTC experience for all of our cadets and midshipmen. For example, donations help offset increasing costs for various activities, like training competitions and formal events (e.g., the annual military ball), so that our cadets and midshipmen can more readily participate.

You can donate to support our ROTC efforts at this Division of Military Education link. Thank you for helping prepare America’s future military leaders!

Air Force ROTC : Boston College, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Emmanuel College, Northeastern University, Simmons University, Suffolk University, University of Massachusetts at Boston, & Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Army ROTC: Babson College, Bentley University, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Curry College, Fisher College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Stonehill College, & University of Massachusetts at Boston. (In May 2024, the U.S. Army Cadet Command elevated the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to satellite status in our partnership, which means Army ROTC will be providing two cadre members who will be assigned full-time to the MMA campus at a future date.)

Navy/Marine Corps ROTC: Boston College & Northeastern University, with MIT, Harvard University, & Tufts University also falling under BU Navy/Marine Corps ROTC command, but with separate facilities.

Vietnam War

"From Saigon to Huế..."

Terriers in Vietnam