Congressman Davis Remembers Eastern North Carolinians Lost During the Vietnam War Ahead of Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) delivered remarks on the House floor honoring eastern North Carolina servicemembers who gave their lives during the Vietnam War, calling on the nation to remember the sacrifice carried by an entire generation of Americans as Memorial Day approaches. Speaking on the House floor, Davis reflected on the courage, sacrifice, and lasting loss carried by families and communities across eastern North Carolina during the Vietnam era, when countless young Americans answered the call to serve, and far too many never returned home.

Rep. Davis first honored Lieutenant Eric Parker Brice of Rocky Mount, a Navy pilot who flew dangerous combat missions over North Vietnam. On June 4, 1968, after his F-4 Phantom II fighter jet was struck down by enemy fire. Although his co-pilot successfully ejected to safety, Brice was unable to escape the aircraft as it crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin.

(Lieutenant Eric Parker Brice of Rocky Mount)

Rep. Davis also honored Army Sergeant Willie Farmer Jr. of Pinetops. On September 29, 1967, Sergeant Farmer lost his life in South Vietnam after being struck by fragments from the rotor blade of a downed helicopter during combat operations. Farmer was only 21 years old when his life was tragically cut short in service to his country.

(Sergeant Willie Farmer Jr. of Pinetops)

"More than 58,000 names etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial represent Americans who gave everything in service to this country, including brave men like Lieutenant Eric Parker Brice and Sergeant Willie Farmer Jr., said Congressman Don Davis. "As an Air Force veteran, I believe we carry a responsibility to ensure the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of those servicemembers are never forgotten."

The full speech can be found HERE.

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