In a week where we set aside time to honor all Vietnam veterans, we lost a legendary voice from that military family in East Tennessee on Friday.
Freddie Owens fought in the first major battle between the U.S. and North Vietnamese army. Wounded twice, the decorated soldier went on to serve 15 years in the Army.
He became a teacher, a one-time grand marshal of the Knoxville Veterans Day parade, and a staunch advocate for the rights and benefits of fellow veterans.
In an email notifying friends Owens had died, one of his friends wrote, "We have been informed that our brother, hero, friend and leader, Freddie J. Owens, went to heaven this afternoon after 77 years of great service to his God, Country and family. He will be missed dearly but never forgotten."
You can watch our 2014 profile of Freddie Owens from the Service & Sacrifice series below.
