Vietnam Vet In Famous Photo Dies

http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail5440.cfm?Id=0,44847 ^

[lunarbicep]

Another South Dakota soldier has died. But he was a veteran of another war in another time. If you don't recall the name, Perry Shinneman, there's a good chance you'll recognize a photograph of him.

Vietnam. It was America's longest war and most controversial. Not only did we lose over 58,000 dead, there were three times that many wounded including 30-year-old Marine Lance Corporal, Perry Shinneman of Sioux Falls.

He'd already been awarded a purple heart after being injured in battle but his war came to an end in 1966 near DaNang when he was nearly ripped in half by a Viet Cong booby trap. After four months in the hospital, and minus one leg, he arrived home on a rainy day where he was greeted by his wife, Shirley.

Perry Shinneman said, (2004) "She came running out and I grabbed her and when I grabbed her, my crutch fell so I hung on."

The emotional and poignant moment was captured on film by Argus Leader photographer, Ray Mews. It was soon circulating in magazines and newspapers all over the world and came to symbolize the whole Vietnam experience. It also made Shinneman something of a reluctant celebrity.

Perry Shinneman, said, (2004) "This is what they tried to portray me as the big war hero and i'm not. I was just one of the injured."

Schinneman went on to serve a long career in corrections and was a tireless volunteer at the Vet's center. Eight years ago the other person in the picture, his beloved Shirley, died of a heart attack. In the years since, he's suffered several health setbacks including a broken pelvis after a fall in late October, congestive heart failure in November.

And this last Sunday, Christmas day, with his daughter, Shayleen at his hospital bedside, Perry Shinneman, died of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 70 years old.

Shinneman eventually became comfortable with his famous photograph especially after learning just how many people had been inspired by it. Perhaps he realized too that it was a part of him that will live forever.

Funeral services for Perry Shinneman will be 1:30 Thursday at the Chapel Hill Funeral home in Sioux Falls.

[Old Professer]

Too often, a hero is simply the last guy left standing; or, in the words of Pogo when answering the comment, "Pity the people without a hero," calmly said, "Pity the people who need one."

[Clemenza]

I love all of you too!

GOD BLESS THE MARINES!

[ChildOfThe60s]

One day, after my wife and I had been married awhile, she referred to my father as a "rubberneck". When we stopped laughing we explained that the term was leatherneck.

[Past Your Eyes]

You said it better than I did. Thank you.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You are way too polite.

[Past Your Eyes]

Did she also call him a "bottlehead"? ";^)
You've got to do something about that tag line. Not all of us that came of age in the '60s were like that. In fact, I rather suspect that I am definitely in the majority. I think we've discussed this before.

[Muleteam1]

Your post reminded me of another fairly well known photo out of Vietnam. The fellow with the chest wound is Eugene Hodges of Lufkin, Texas, my neighbor and acquaintance in the 1960s. His family lived about four homes down from my family on what is now Brentwood Drive. Unfortunately, Eugene died from the wounds he received that day. It nearly destroyed his parents when they first saw the photo in, I believe Life Magazine, because it was published about the same time as Eugene's funeral. A short story of the photo can be found at http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0107/ss08.htm.

Muleteam1

[BnBlFlag]

"Marines are a department in the Navy".

No way, Jose! The Marines are a separate Independent Service in the Department of the Navy.

[null and void]

"Marines are a department in the Navy".

Yes, the MENS department...

[RaceBannon]

but the marines are a department of the U.S. Navy.

Yes, the MEN'S DEPARTMENT

[RJS1950]

I remember the event and the photo. I was 16 and living in Sioux Falls at the time. Several friends were inspired by the picture and the story to enter the Marines over the next couple of years, including me.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Did she also call him a "bottlehead"? ";^)

Ha ha. Nope, though she might have done it to tease him had she known the term.

You've got to do something about that tag line.

Nah, I like it. However, your objection is duly noted. :-)

[ladyjane]

.Her having stuck with him is,IMO,an act of true love *and* bravery.

No bravery needed when you love someone.

[vetvetdoug]

Zoomie, Jarhead, Squid, and Grunt

When I die I have it already in my will that I should be buried with my buddies in the Natl' Cemetery.

God Bless all of our veterans.

[ChildOfThe60s]

God Bless all of our veterans.

Amen.

My Dad is buried at the national cemetery in Bushnell, FL. It is sobering and inspiring to visit there.

[Lijahsbubbe]

"This is what they tried to portray me as the big war hero and i'm not. I was just one of the injured."

Quite a contrast to John Kerry.

[jokar]

You are the emperor of sarcasm. Wow I am truly humbled. That is so going to leave a mark.