Belleville Historians Salute 4 Newark Soldiers Killed In Vietnam

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Belleville Historical Society recently gave a long overdue, post-humous salute to four soldiers from Newark who were killed in Vietnam.

The Belleville-based group has been cleaning and restoring military memorials throughout northern New Jersey as part of an ongoing effort. Last weekend, its members installed and dedicated their latest tribute at Woodland Cemetery in Newark.

According to a news release from the BHS:

“The society is a Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemorative Partner and has cleaned the gravestones of scores of Vietnam KIA. Next April 30, 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. This past summer, the society identified and located the graves of four Vietnam soldiers killed in action (KIA) at Woodland Cemetery in Newark. Sadly, two soldiers were buried in unmarked graves. Army Pfc. Williams was buried in what became an abandoned and inaccessible area. A chainsaw and machete were needed to clear a path to locate his grave. The youngest of the servicemen was Marine Pfc. Vincent Coles, who arrived in Vietnam in 1968 on Valentines Day, he was still 17. The society fabricated gravestones for the two lacking markers, and we fabricated a granite plaque with the names and photos of all four young men.”

The memorials were installed and dedicated on Saturday. The cemetery is located at 570 South 10th Street in Newark.

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