NEVER FORGET! William N. Erling, Jr., Killed in Action in 1967, Honored on Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Melbourne

By Steve Wilson // May 8, 2026

RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM OVER 58,000 NAMES BY FRIDAY NIGHT LOCKER ROOM’S STEVE WILSON AND ORVILLE SUSONG

William N. Erling, Jr. was killed in combat during the Vietnam War on September 6, 1967. Each year, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is the centerpiece of the weeklong activities at the Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne. The Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson and Orville Susong select one name at random from the wall to honor and remember. They do this to put a face and a story with a name. This year, they randomly selected William Nels Erling, Jr., to honor.

BREVARD COUNTY — Each year, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is the centerpiece of the weeklong activities at the Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne.

My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, and I select one name at random from the wall to honor and remember.

We do this to put a face and a story with a name. With over 58,000 names on the Wall, it is easy to forget that each one of these names has a story.

Even after they pass, it can, and does, have a devastating effect on their families and friends.

This year, we randomly selected William Nels Erling, Jr., to honor.

Erling was born in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois, on April 12, 1944. He grew up in the Chicago area and was the only son of William Erling, Sr., and Margaret Francis Erling. Erling had one sister, Judith.

He attended Austin High School, where he enrolled in R.O.T.C. Erling graduated in 1962 with the rank of Cadet Major.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1966 and attended basic training at Camp Pendleton, California.

William N. Erling, Jr., (pictured) was killed in combat during the Vietnam War on September 6, 1967. Each year, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is the centerpiece of the weeklong activities at the Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne. The Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson and Orville Susong select one name at random from the wall to honor and remember. They do this to put a face and a story with a name. This year, they randomly selected William Nels Erling, Jr., to honor.

According to HonorStates.org, while stationed in Vietnam, Erling wrote back home, “We who are involved in the war here have a purpose-mainly to fight communism and make this area a little better for the people who live here.”

At the time of his death, Erling had attained the rank of Corporal. His specialty was a Rifleman.

Erling was killed in combat on September 6, 1967, at Vinh Huy, 12 kilometers southwest of Thang Binh, South Vietnam, Quang Tin province. He was a member of the Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, B Company.

William N. Erling, Jr., as his name appears on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, currently at Wickham Park in Melbourne, Florida. His name was selected at random from the over 58,000 on the wall. The intent is to put a face, a story, and a name.

Other than his immediate family, Erling was survived by his fiancée, Dorothy Mertsky. Mertsky told me, “I was engaged to him. We were to marry while he was on leave. His leave was canceled,” and he was killed shortly thereafter.

I asked Mertsky to describe Erling and she said, “Bill was a quiet gentle man who was very artistic. He worked for a commercial art company.” She went on to say, “I have a painting he did for me. It’s a cute clown with a rose for a nose. I treasure. He also made me a necklace with a heart he carved out of jade. I loved just being with him.”

On November 7, 2015, Erling’s sister, Judith, wrote on wmf.org/wall-of-faces, the following: “Bill, my brother, always wanted to be a Marine, and when he did, he served with honor in Vietnam, giving his life in 1967.”

Also posted on wmf.org/wall-of-faces was a note from a distant cousin.

She wrote, “I am the daughter of your cousin, Carol Fuja Krywokulski, daughter of your Aunt Elsie Erling Fuja. I was 8 years old when you passed.

However, I clearly remember your memorial and military burial. There was a heart-shaped bouquet on your casket.

Apparently from your sweetheart. I will never forget your sacrifice and service. Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace.”

Erling is buried at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, and is honored on the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., on Panel 26e, Line 8.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. William Nels Erling, Jr., is a true American hero and should NEVER be forgotten.

The gravestone of U.S. Marine William N. Erling, Jr., who was killed in combat during the Vietnam War. Erling is buried at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois. His name was selected at random from the over 58,000 on the wall. The intent is to put a face, a story, and a name.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud to have chaired two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock, that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.