THE MEMORIAL'S FIRST DESIGNER

Credit for the first design concept for the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial came from former Midlander Randall G. (Randy) Gilliam, who served in Vietnam in 1969-70. His first four months there were spent as an infantry rifleman with Co. C, 2 Battalion, 506^th Infantry, 101at Airborne Division. His last eight months he was a helicopter door gunner with Co. B, 158^th Assault Helicopter Co., 101^st Airborne.

Gilliam came to Midland when he was six and graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1967. He enlisted in the Army that fall. After earning his jump wings, he was assigned to the 8^th Airborne Division in Germany. He volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1969.

Among his decorations are the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal with 16 clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Gilliam now is a sales representative for California Optical, traveling North Texas and Oklahoma. Randy has a son, John.

Sketch of the first Memorial Design Concept

E-mail the committee