DON SJOSTROM
1940-04-20 1967-01-06January 1967
Laos
Foreign Service
Bothell Man killed in Laos.
Don M. Sjostrom, 26, of Bothell, who has devoted all his adult life to helping others died in Laos Friday when communist troops attacked Royal Lao soldiers.
Sjostrom was killed in a clash in the northeastern town of Nakhang where he had gone to help refugees fleeing from the Communists.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Myron C. Sjostrom.
Sjostrom was working for the United States Agency for International Development in Laos. He had been with A.I. D.
15 months. Before that he had served with the Peace Corps two years in neighboring Thailand.
The Los Angeles Times said Nakhang's airstrip was attacked early Friday by the Communist Pathet Lao forces.
Roval Lao soldiers beat off the attack, but Siostrom was killed in the fighting.
Siostrom was born in Seattle and was graduated from the University of Washington in 1963. He majored in philosophy but also studied foreign languages and history. He joined the Peace Corps soon after graduation.
"We had a letter from him just 2 days ago." Mrs.. Sjostrom said last night. "He said he was very happy in his work.
"At least that's some consolation." In addition to his parents, Sjostrom is survived by a brother, David J. Sjostrom, Redmond, and two sisters, Mrs. Clifford Walker, Jr., Seattle, and Mrs. Joseph J. Victor, Bellevue.
Sjostrom came home for a three month visit in March after working six months with AID. He returned to Laos on a two year assignment with the federal agency. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, Sunday 8 Jan 67)
Don Sjostrom, Laos Casualty. Mr. Sjostrom, who was working with the United States Agency for International Development in Laos was killed Friday when Communist troops attacked Royal Lao soldiers. A resident of the Seattle area most of his life, Mr.. Sjostrom was graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958 and the University of Washington in 1963. He served with the Peace Corps two years in Thailand, then became an operations officer with AID in Laos in the fall of 1965 He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and the U.W. Alumni Association. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Myron C. Sjostrom, Bothell; a brother, David Sjostrom, Redmond, and two sisters, Mrs. Joe Victor, Bellevue, and Mrs. C.J. Walker, Bothell. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 12 Jan 67)
Although not a combatant, Don died while playing a heroic and crucial role in the successful defense of the village of Na Khang Laos when it came under a heavy surprise attack by North Vietnamese regular troops on the morning of January 6, 1967. I was with Don when he was killed on the morning of January 6, 1967 at Na Khang Laos. He was a good friend and his death was a great loss. He died a hero protecting others. If any of Dons relatives or friends would like to talk about Don and his final days you can reach me by email.
tribute by Mike Lynch, Cape Coral, FL.It is hard to believe that Don died over 40 years ago. After graduation from the U of W, he joined the Peace Corps where he served in Thailand for two years. Don was then recruited by the U.S. Agency for International Development where he worked with the hill tribes in northern Laos. He had been there for 15 months until he was killed by the Pathet Lao when they attacked and overran his village. In the mid sixties, when I was stationed in Hawaii with the Marine Corps, Don would stay with us for a few days when he was traveling between Southeast Asia and Seattle. Those visits with Don were great. We did a lot of body surfing and swimming. We also had a lot of laughs, drank some beer and talked about the "old days" at RHS. We caught up on news of our other classmates and talked about Don's activities in Laos. Those visits with Don are special memories and we are lucky to have them.
tribute by Pete LucasDon was a tall, smart, nice-looking fella in my senior newswriting class. He was rather reserved -- no goofing off. What I most remember about Don is that last name of his. I had never seen any spelling like that and I remember being somewhat astonished when I heard a teacher or student say "Shoo! strom..." Ah ha, so that's how you pronounce Sj... !
tribute by Marilyn Druby AndersonDon was "Sugarfoot" and I was "Jacudi Bowlingstad". In the 57/58 year we were co-sports editors of the RHS news. We wrote together what we thought were very clever columns and tried to include in each a risque double entendre about a RHS athlete--like Jim Jensen (easy to do)--Ken Dupar (not so easy). We thought they were very funny and only we highschool folks would get them. Well, not so! Even Cecil Bullock caught our stuff--and the reprimands were neither funny nor fair. Besides his creative writing style, I learned a lot from Don in the short time I knew him. He was a warm, gentle, funny and supportive guy who was as genuine as they come--no phony in him. He was definitely "Sugarfoot"! I miss him.
tribute by John JacobiDon was a great friend, a loving son and a brother to Jane, a patriot, and a humanitarian! I had transferred to Michigan State University in 1960 and was teaching in 1964 when Don came to Indiana for Peace Corps training. We were able to get together again and when he got to SE Asia and was in a teaching situation, we each had our classes correspond (sending packets of letters to each other which the kids loved)...a nice international exchange! Then came Jan. 6, 1966...... I'll never forget him!
tribute by Ted Streukens