SHELBURNE FALLS — U.S. Marine Capt. and Shelburne resident Paul “Tucker” Looney was in Vietnam on May 10, 1967, when he learned that a patrol was under heavy attack, and pinned down by deadly semi-automatic and automatic weapons fire.
Another pilot had been unable to rescue the patrol because of severe damage to his aircraft. Looney immediately launched a night emergency reconnaissance patrol extraction and, after arriving over the area, made radio contact with the utility military helicopter overhead and with the patrol’s surviving members.
He confirmed the pickup zone to be a bomb crater and made a low-level, high-speed approach. Just as he brought the aircraft to a hover, the air was instantly filled with tracers. Two of these rounds struck and mortally wounded Looney.
Knowing he was badly hurt, he informed his co-pilot that he was hit and directed him to take control. He then struggled from his seat and crawled into the cabin section, knowing that there was nothing more he could do to save the aircraft and fearful that his unconscious body might block the controls.
“He gallantly gave his life for his country,” reads the Silver Star citation that recounts Looney’s valiant service.
On Monday, Looney will be honored during Memorial Day festivities. Two years ago, the Shelburne Falls Memorial Day Committee started using a rotation system to honor the four Shelburne men who died in the Vietnam War, and 2026 is Looney’s turn.
A parade will begin outside of Mo’s Fudge Factor at 10 a.m., stop on the Iron Bridge for remarks from the Rev. William Lunney, and then stop outside Arms Library a few minutes later, when committee member John Chadwick will say a few words. The Memorial Day ceremony will start at approximately 10:40 a.m. at Arms Cemetery.
“We want them to be remembered at all times, always, not just on their tombstone,” explained Shelburne Falls Memorial Day Committee Chair Doug March. “We want to keep their memory alive.”
Rides will be offered for veterans who cannot march in the parade. Jeff Cochran, a Shelburne Falls resident who spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring as a master sergeant, will be the guest speaker. Additionally, Joseph Moynihan, vice principal at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, is a committee member and guides students in placing flags at the cemetery.
Karen Burnap Strong, one of Looney’s nieces, plans to be in attendance and read a letter penned by her aunt, one of Looney’s sisters.
“As my mother, Anne (Looney) Burnap, is no longer with us, my sister, brother and I, along with our families, are honored to attend on her behalf,” she wrote in an email. “She was immensely proud of her brother and his patriotism for his country. She would be overwhelmed with gratitude for her community and the way they have chosen to honor her brother and keep his memory alive.”
Sylvia (Looney) DeFeo, Looney’s only living sibling, is unable to attend the ceremony.
“I was moved that people in town had not forgotten my brother’s sacrifice,” she said. “At the time of his death, our community was so kind to my family and I am so happy to know that another generation of this wonderful town is comforting our family once again.
“Any loss of a family member is difficult for anyone, but my brother was my parents’ only son. He was my hero long before he lost his life in Vietnam,” DeFeo continued. “I was fortune enough to have had him in in my life. Our family felt fortunate that we knew what happened to him and that his remains were returned to us, since some families still do not have their loved ones’ remains.”
The other Shelburne men who were killed in Vietnam were Specialist Ronald E. Wissman, Petty Officer 1st Class William K. Batchelder and Pfc. James E. Palmeri. The first three were all killed in May 1967, while Palmeri died of combat injuries on Feb. 26, 1969. Two years ago, he was the first local honored on the Memorial Day rotation.
“Obviously, [on] Memorial Day we honor all veterans that died for this country, but we just kind of wanted to put a local face on it,” committee member David Kearney said. “They have gone very, very well. The feedback from the public … has just been outstanding.”
