5 More Ohioans Die In: Vietnam Conflict

   WASHINGTON (AP) -AP- Five more Ohioans have been killed in recent action in Vietnam, the Defense Department reported Tuesday. . They were Sgt. Samuel F Ryan of St. Louisville (Licking County), Sgt. Paul A, Brouse of Akron and Sgt, D. Masten [sic] of Cleveland, all Army men, and two Marines, Pfc. Edward A. Horn, Jr. of Poland , and Pfc. John F. Hatfield of Springfield.

[Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Lancaster, OH, 07 May 1969, Wed, Page 18]

Greave marker for Armand D. Masten in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park (Cuyahoga county), New York,

Sgt Masten began his tour of duty in Vietnam on 6 May 1968 and was killed in action in Hua Nghia, Vietnam by an explosive device on 3 May 1969.

Son Slain, Linndale's Mayor Quits

   CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) --- "I know what I must do. . ." Armand Masten, 47, mayor of Linndale Village stopped In mid-sentence.
   His voice choked. He buried his face in his hands and turned from the members of the Village Council he was addressing. Tears were running down his cheeks.
   "You know my son died in Vietnam last Friday," he continued after composing himself, his face drawn with grief. "I must resign my position as mayor of Linndale Village. I don't want to. But I must."
   "Forgive me," he implored his listeners. "I don't want to but I must now dedicate my life to a peace memorial and the ideals my son was going to fight for once he got into politics."
   Mayor Masten, who came to power at the same time Linndale voted down annexation to Cleveland in 1965, had placed much hope in the career of his son, Armand D. Masten 21, who was drafted into the Army in November of 1967.
   Sgt. Masten was to have come back from Vietnam May 5, but he decided to extend his term of duty there to receive an immediate discharge on his return to the United States.
   Sgt. Masten spent a year at Kent State University, with the Intention of majoring in political science, and then another year, 1966-67, studying broadcasting at Career Academy in Columbus and. working for WOIO in Canton.
   "He was a very dedicated boy," his father said, tears coming to his eyes again. So many Americans talk, argue, complain about peace and patriotism but never do anything about it."
   "Well, my son didn't like war and violence. But he thought he was serving his country. He did It out of respect."
   "If only he hadn't extended. We would have been welcoming him back just about now. In two years he would have been a state representative. He had the brains to do it."
   The mayor told council he would be cheating Linndale if he didn't resign. "I am a bitter man," he said.

[The Marion Star, Marion, OH, 10 May 1969, Sat, Page 12]

Seeks Memorial
   CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) - Mayor Armand Masten of suburban Linndale said Friday that he will remain in office, but expressed hope that citizens will understand that his "prime obligation" is to the establishment of a peace memorial.
   The mayor resigned earlier this week because of the death of his son. Sgt. Armand Masten Jr., in Vietnam last Friday. He said he would devote his time to establishing a peace memorial.

Jumpmaster Notes: Although the mayoral resignation and return to office appeared in many papers around the state, there was no mention found of Sgt Masten's funeral.  Perhaps the father used his official power to quash press appearances to avoid a "media circus" at the proceedings.

Also, no evidence has been found that the mayor's desired peace memorial was ever erected.