Man anticipated risk in Vietnam

Pfc. Jimmy Hohstead was approaching the end of his scheduled duty in Vietnam when he was killed in action on Oct. 9, 1967, according to his sister, Donna White.

Hohstead’s death came as a blow to his sister. The two had just a few years before suffered the death of their parents, but Hohstead knew the risks when he was drafted to go to Vietnam. Before he left at the age of 19 the graduate of House High School had married his girlfriend and moved to Clovis. Hohstead had been a star athlete at House, where he played basketball, ran track, and pitched in baseball.

That athletic training helped him in the military, but he knew no amount of training could help if he ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Jimmy had already named pallbearers and everything; we felt he knew he wasn’t coming home once he did that. He made some arrangements with his wife,” White said.

“Jimmy did get the Silver Star and the Purple Heart both.”

Hohstead left no children in his brief marriage.

White said she is grateful for the Joint Veterans Council invitation to attend the special Memorial Day observances.

“I’m participating because of Jimmy. He does mean a great deal to us and to our family,” Hohstead said. “This is wonderful what the veterans are doing to remember this.”