My dad’s name was Kenneth Landfair, Sr.
He was a Sgt. Major in the USMC. His unit was the 3rd Pioneers while in Vietnam, which is now the 3rd Battalion Combat Engineers now. He served 3 tours in Vietnam, and from what my brother has determined, he was in the Quang Tri province. Dad retired in 1987. He had several medals, Certificate of Merit, Sea service Deployment ribbon l, Good Conduct (9), National Defense Service medal, Vietnam service medal 3*, Certificate of Commendation (5), Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign with device, M14 Sharpshooter, Combat Action ribbon and the Meritorious Service medal. That is what I’ve been able to find so far.
My dad didn’t speak at all of his time in Vietnam and wouldn’t speak to my brother about his time in country either. He told me he would tell me someday about his experiences, but that someday never came before he passed. When he died, he was a retired Sergeant Major. I never even knew that he had been in Vietnam until I was an adult. I have so many questions that were never answered.
My favorite movie is When We Were Soldiers. I’ve watched it dozens of times wondering if that’s what he went through. I believe I was 6 or 7 by the time he made it home for good. My dad was also a drill instructor at MCRD. The story I was told by my mom about one of my dad’s homecomings, was that I yelled at him and told him to leave and that my daddy would be really mad if he was there. I really have no memories from back then.
This is a picture of my father in his dress blues and with me as a teenager. The group photo shows my dad on the left and my Marine Corps Uncle Donald Fisher. They are putting on my brother’s stripes. My brother Ken Landfair, Jr. graduated boot camp at the same base my dad was once a drill instructor at MCRD in San Diego. My brother retired as a Sergeant
My mom was also in the navy reserve. I do not even know her rank. I miss them both so much.
I would like to try and find someone that he may have served with.
~ Kendra Landfair
We thank Kendra for sharing her family story and service with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper where we are all connected.
Veteran Tributes/Military Books: jennylasala.com/
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