This week’s Grave of the Week is Ernest Joe Vian. Mr. Vian was born in Texas in 1930. He moved to Hayward, CA when he was 9. After graduating from Hayward High School, he joined the US Naval Air Corp and served on the USS Yorktown (CV-10). He fought in Vietnam.
If he was on the Yorktown in 1968, he may have participated in the recovery of the Apollo 8 capsule and three astronauts. Apollo 8 was the first spacecraft to leave Earth’s gravity and the first human spacecraft to reach the moon. It circled the moon 10 times before safety returning to Earth.
The ABH1 on his stone denotes he was an Aviation boatswain’s mate aircraft handler. These sailors supervise the movement of Naval aircraft and perform rescue duties when necessary.
He retired from the Air Corp in 1974 and spend two years in the Reserves. He was a crash crew rescue member for the Oakland Airport.
Mr. Vian spent the remainder of his career as a bus maintenance worker for Orange County Rapid Transit. His family moved to Exeter and his hobbies included reading, bowling, traveling and babysitting his beloved grandchildren.
Please share any happy memories you have of Ernest and the Vian Family.
Comment if you know anyone who should be featured on Grave of the Week. Please include any information about the person’s life and where the grave is located.
Please continue to like, share, and follow the Exeter Cemetery District and thank you to Exeter Chamber of Commerce, The City of Exeter, Exeter Kiwanis, Kiwanis Club Of Farmersville, Kiwanis of Woodlake, The Sun-Gazette Newspaper for sharing