The Franklin Project

THE FRANKLIN PROJECT

IN SEARCH OF PAST HEROS

Written and Presented by Ensworth Students

Larry Graham Buford

By Caleb Dorris

Larry Graham Buford was a proud Tennessean born on August 15, 1947, in the city of Nashville. He was raised in a small family with only one sister. His parents instilled in him the values of hard work and dedication from a young age. Buford's childhood was spent in the midst of the civil rights movement, war, and chaos within the nation, which played a significant role in shaping his values and beliefs. Despite facing hardship, Buford persevered and became a decorated Marine who served his country with honor. Buford's journey in the military began in 1966 when he decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Franklin High School. He completed basic training and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, F Company. Buford was a Corporal and served as an assault man, which meant that he was responsible for providing direct fire support to infantry troops during combat operations. Buford was an excellent soldier who quickly gained the respect and admiration of his fellow Marines. On August 22, 1967, Buford began his tour of duty in Vietnam. He was deployed to the Quang Tri Province, located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Vietnam. Buford's unit was tasked with conducting search and destroy missions, which involved locating and neutralizing enemy forces in the area. The mission was dangerous and required courage, skill, and determination.

Buford proved himself to be a capable and fearless soldier by participating in numerous combat operations and demonstrating his skills as an assault man on several occasions. In one particular engagement, Buford's unit came under heavy fire from enemy forces. Despite the danger, Buford charged forward and engaged the enemy with his M79 grenade launcher, providing crucial fire support that allowed his fellow Marines to maneuver and gain the upper hand in the battle. Buford's bravery and skill in combat earned him the admiration and respect of his fellow Marines. Despite the danger and hardship of the combat operations, Buford remained committed to his duty and his fellow Marines. He was known for his selflessness and his willingness to put the needs of others before his own. Buford's leadership and dedication were recognized by his superiors, and he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during his tour in Vietnam.

Buford faced his most significant enemy contact in November against a battalion of the 90th and 803 regiments of the 324B NV Army. Placed in well-dug fortified bunkers with good equipment and training, resulting in his death by gunfire. Buford, unfortunately, gave his life protecting his country on November 30, 1967. His legacy lives on through his service and dedication to his country and community. Buford was a true American hero who embodied the values of courage, dedication, and selflessness. He will always be remembered as a proud Tennessean and a Marine who served his country with honor and distinction.

Buford’s unequivocal bravery and determination make him the perfect candidate for the naming of a new road in Franklin. Larry deserves to be recognized for his abilities and devotion to our country. Larry gave his life to help preserve freedom for all Franklin, Tennessee, residents, and the rest of the country. Larry's task was to man a 50 caliber machine gun and safeguard not only his own and his crew's lives, but he also played a significant role in protecting the lives of the average serviceman on the ground. This is one of our country's highest tributes and should be appreciated and honored. Tragically, he did not live long enough to get the honors of being a living veteran within his hometown. Nevertheless, by commemorating him posthumously, we can express our gratitude for the sacrifice and devotion he displayed to his fellow soldiers throughout his time in Vietnam. Naming a road or bridge in Franklin after Larry Graham Buford would bring honor and glory to fellow soldiers while also upholding an important part of American and Tennessee history.

John Willie Woods Jr.

By Samuel “Clay” Sadler

John Willie Woods Jr. was a young African-American from Franklin, Tennessee. John was remembered for his outstanding athletic abilities while attending Old Natchez high school in the mid-1960s. John had earned a sense of respect amongst the community while facing the challenges of segregation daily. Immediately after graduating high school, John enlisted in the US military after their advancements in Vietnam. At nineteen years old, John left Franklin, ranked initially as an infantryman, and was sent off to duty on May 2, 1966. Soon after being deployed, John transitioned to a helicopter gunner on the common “Huey '' helicopter for the 155th Assault Helicopter Company. John’s company was based out of Ban Me Thuot, a city located in southern Vietnam. Here, John was in charge of manning the 50-caliber machine gun mounted to the helicopter. John provided assistance to many different infantry divisions that were sometimes left abandoned throughout active combat zones in Vietnam. John and his company supplied many US soldiers in active combat zones and gave suppression fire for troops.

Operation Paul Revere IV was a United States Army operation that took place in the Plei Trap Valley, lasting from October 20 to December 30, 1966, during a crucial time in the Vietnam War. Enemy troops were positioned southeast of the Plei Trap Valley near the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Two US Brigades found abandoned enemy base camps but were subjected to attacks on their night defensive positions. On October 30, the Second

Brigade, First Calvary were deployed to protect those ground troops in the area. John had been a notably successful helicopter gunner for over a year before tragedy struck. After almost a year of active duty in Vietnam, John boarded his Huey early morning of October 30, 1966, with a mission to resupply and protect the US 25th infantry division involved in Operation Paul Revere IV.

However, around 10 am, shortly after take-off and approaching the target zone, the Huey dropped to below 1000 ft and began to take on small machine gun artillery. Soon the engine was penetrated with gunfire, and the Huey exploded and crashed, resulting in the death of all crew members, including John. This event outraged the US military, and the company of the enemy gunfire was pursued and eliminated. Soon after, the 69th Armor Regiment recovered John and the crew’s bodies in the Pleiku Province, South Vietnam. John lost his life at the age of 19, serving his country with unmatched dedication and ability.

John Willie Woods Jr would make a perfect candidate for the naming of any new road in Franklin. Being an outstanding forgotten resident of Franklin, John should receive the recognition for his capabilities and service to our country. John sacrificed his life to help preserve the freedom of every resident of Franklin, Tennessee, and the rest of the country. He also served a vital role for his helicopter crew. The threat of each helicopter being attacked was heavy on his shoulders. It was his job to man a 50 caliber machine gun to protect not only his life and those of his crew, but he played a major role in protecting the lives of the average infantryman on the ground. This can be viewed as one of the highest tributes in our country and should be respected and honored. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to win the medals and ribbons he justly deserved for his bravery. Yet, we can still show our appreciation for the sacrifice and devotion he demonstrated toward his fellow soldier during his time in Vietnam by honoring him posthumously. Naming a road or bridge in Franklin in John's honor would bring respect and glory to fellow soldiers alike and preserve a part of American history.

Richard Lee Carothers

By Clarence “Jack” Taylor

First Class Richard Lee Carothers was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, where he graduated high school at Natchez High School in 1963. After graduating, Carothers went on to work at Cumberland Shoe Company. At the age of 21 Carothers served overseas in the Vietnam War. Carothers served in Company C in the 1st Battalion 12th Cavalry during an air assault mission near Bong Son, Vietnam. During the mission Carothers displayed true heroism and courage to help his team. Moments after leaving the landing zone, Carothers’ company came under intense enemy fire for automatic weapons. This attack pinned down three out of the four platoons. Carothers company was in the lead position as the reserve began a flanking maneuver against the superior enemy force. After the reserves moved 100 meters, their platoon was taken under heavy fire from more automatic weapons in a hedgerow. With no regard for his own safety, Carothers ran into the hedgerow to take out the enemy. He came into contact with two enemy soldiers and killed both of them in a fierce point-

blank firefight. Carothers attention then turned to the two other bunkers which had pinned down the remainder of his platoon. Carothers was mortally wounded when he engaged with the enemy in the two bunkers. It was later quoted, “Private Carothers courageous action and unselfish devotion to the duty stand in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect free of credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” Carothers was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his acts of heroism in connection to military operations against the hostile force.

Richard Lee Carothers would be a fitting candidate to have a new road or bridge in Franklin named after him. Carothers was a resident of Franklin his whole life, and he fought and served our country with the highest of standards. Carothers not only showed immense heroism on the battlefield to protect his fellow soldiers, earning him the Bronze Medal. He fought to protect his country and the city of Franklin. He sacrificed his life overseas so that everyone back home could feel safer. It is time to recognize that Richard Carothers was a hero, despite the fact he was unable to return to the family and town that he loved. The best way to say thank you is to name a road or bridge after him so we will never forget the sacrifice he made for our country.

James Peay

By Mark Smith

The students at the Ensworth School have volunteered our free time to research Vietnam veterans such as James Peay. to honor their sacrifice to our country. We have dedicated two full days of research at the Williamson County Archives and spent over twenty hours of research and writing to tell their story. We wish we had more time to tell their story. For centuries, the world has been dominated by political dogma and war. Soldiers do not care about politics but fight the wars that come their way. The US soldiers have done their part regardless if the war was popular or not. Not every person is going to stand up and choose to be in the military. There comes a time when we need to honor our soldiers who have sacrificed their own life for the lives of others. It takes more than just fighting for your country. It takes someone willing to sacrifice their life to help fight for mankind. James Peay gave up his life for both his country and to better mankind.

James Peay was born on March 28, 1945. Peay was a graduate of Franklin High and was newly married. James Peay put aside her personal life and entered the army in February 1967. Soon while in the army, he received training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in military region three and was in the 25th infantry division. He soon served in the light weapons infantry near Tay Ninh. Tây Ninh Combat Base was established approximately 5 km west of the city of Tây Ninh and 12 km from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Tây Ninh served as the base for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade from April 1966 until October 1970.

Peavy was wounded soon after his army assembled just north of Saigon beyond the Cambodian border. He was shot by enemy fire while trying to assist a fellow soldier who had also been wounded. Peay died on January 7th, 1968, due to shrapnel wounds. He

was fatally wounded while on patrol north of Saigon near the Cambodian border. Peay was only 22 years old when he passed.

James Peavy did not plan on becoming a hero. He was just trying to save the life of another fellow soldier. Yet, this was not the only time Peavy showed his courage and dedication to his fellow soldier. In fact, James Peavy was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service during the period of September 10, 1967, to January 7, 1968, in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, he was not simply awarded this important medal of honor for trying to save one soldier. Rather he had built a reputation as a soldier who had demonstrated his worth for a four-month period of service. This is the type of man that needs to be honored not only by those he served with back in 1967 and 1968 but by those of us who maintain our freedom today because of his actions.

Why might any particular street or bridge be named after a Vietnam soldier? Why should we honor James Peay? In the end, there comes a time when we need to remember those who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom. There are many soldiers who were just doing their job and fought in a war like Vietnam that some of us would like to forget. Yet, we cannot forget the sacrifice these men made to keep us free, regardless of someone's political views. James Peay played a significant role on the battlefield of Vietnam, and his actions represent the best of what makes us Americans. That is why our deceased soldiers like James Peavy should be honored. James Peay deserves recognition and consideration for his sacrifice and duty to serve our country. Not all soldiers get to return to their families and their country. Yet, we can keep his memory alive, even if it is simply by naming a street or a bridge in his honor. James Peavy has earned at least this small amount of recognition.