Several local young men were involved in the Vietnam War, and their passing deeply affected the community. Between the summer and fall of 1969, five lives were lost weeks apart. In total, eight servicemen perished in the Vietnam Conflict, but not all are buried in this cemetery. It is a significant feature of Cohasset Central Cemetery that three of the soldiers were buried in close proximity to one another. Captain John Lyon and Specialist Fourth Class Allen F. Keating are buried in the lower section of the cemetery side by side. Corporal William C. Laidlaw is located to the right at the nearby corner of what was John Lyons's backyard at Seaside and Westerly Avenues.
Corporal William C. Laidlaw
1943 – 1965
William Laidlaw was an early casualty in the first major battle in 1965 in a country that few knew. A simple twist of fate put him in the role of tank commander that day. For his bravery, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor and a Purple Heart Medal. Laidlaw also received the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal, among other campaign and unit awards.
Captain John Lyon
1944 – 1969
John Lyon was a 1962 graduate of Cohasset High School, an Eagle Scout, and was equally involved in town organizations. He was killed on a search-and-destroy mission when his helicopter landed on a buried mine. For his heroism in ground combat, Lyon was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor, two Bronze Star Medals with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Purple Heart Medal, an Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Aerial Flight, a National Defense Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, and a Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Specialist Fourth Class Allen F. Keating
1948 – 1969
A 1966 graduate of Cohasset High School, Allen Keating was the quarterback of the football team, captain of the baseball team, president of the Catholic Youth Organization, a founder of the Police Athletic League (PAL), and a Cohasset Little League coach. He took his Rest and Recuperation in Hawaii after nine months of combat allowing him and his high school girlfriend Ann to marry on the island. They spent five days together before returning to his unit. He was killed shortly after while leading his squad and its armored personnel carrier.
Keating was cited for conspicuous valor and awarded the Bronze Star, as well as two Purple Heart Medals, a National Defense Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and other campaign and unit awards. The first picture is him on his wedding day and the second photo shows Allen with the Montagnard children was taken a few days before his death.
