44th ANNIVERSARY OF SOLDIER'S DEATH

January 27, 2010 marks the 44th anniversary of the death of Carey Edwin Best, who was killed in action in Vietnam.

CAREY EDWIN BEST was born May 3, 1943 and died in Vietnam on January 27, 1966. He was 22 years old. He was the son of Douglas and Violet Self Best. Carey Best was the second soldier from Monroe County, TN to be killed in Vietnam. It is believed the body of Carey Best was brought by train to the depot in Etowah, Tennessee on February 4, where it was met by the funeral director and transported by hearse to Madisonville. A note on the record of death reads “soldier boy”. The funeral was held on February 6, 1966 at Lee’s Chapel Church. He was buried on February 9, 1966 in Michigan. Douglas and Violet Best were living in Charleston, Michigan at the time Carey died, so they chose to have him buried there. Many years later, the Bests retired and moved back “home” to Tennessee. On May 21, 1998, Carey Edward Best was re-interred at the Big Toqua Cemetery in Vonore, Tennessee in a family plot. I was honored to be a part of that private re-interment service. Also in attendance were the son and daughter of Carey E. Best, his parents and a few invited guests. Rev. Marvin Bud Millsaps offered a prayer at the graveside.

The photo above was published in the newspaper in Monroe County, TN, along with an official death announcement a few days following the soldier’s death. The photo appears here courtesy of Wesley Dillard Self.

Carey Edwin Best was the great-great-grandson of John J. Self. He was a second cousin once removed to James Edward Self, who was also killed in Vietnam on August 22, 1968. Their names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial at the Monroe County Courthouse in Madisonville, TN and the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.