CANOGA PARK, Calif. -  There are 44 names engraved on a memorial monument at Canoga Park High School, but one of those names, Art Bedal, means the world to Susan Bedal his widow.

"The Air Force and flying was his great love," Susan said.

First Lt. Arthur Bedal—better known as "Skip" graduated from Canoga Park High in the Winter of 1956. He later joined the Air Force, where he trained as a navigator.

"Between the aviation cadet and the bombardier training, we were married," she said.

Eventually, Skip volunteered to serve in the Air Commando squadron, a special operations group and didn’t tell his wife.

"It wasn’t until many years later I read in a book, the Air Commando Chronicles, that he couldn’t tell me," Susan said.

Susan wore a pin of the old World War II B-26 bombers, the plane her husband flew on in Vietnam.

He deployed in June of 1963 as part of the "Jungle Jim" group that wore green Australian-type hats.

"The patch is still on crooked," Susan said, displaying Skip's hat.

Two months later…tragedy struck.

"He died as a result of an aircraft crash approximately 300 miles north of Saigon," said Susan, reading from a Western Union telegram.

She was six months pregnant and left alone with a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

She started reading from the last letter he sent to his parents.

"'Say hello to everyone for me and I’ll try to write more often.' This was dated August 12th. He died August 16th. It was sent to his folks and I believe they received this after his death," Susan said.

But it wasn’t until years later that she found out the real cause of the crash. It wasn't shot down.

"Eventually, I learned that the plane had lost its wing," she said. "These old planes, they were having problems."

Skip was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.

"He was 25 when he died, and he had so much to live for," Susan said.

Among the keepsakes, his Canoga Park High School I-D.

Each year, the school holds a Memorial Day ceremony—releasing balloons to honor those lives lost too soon.

At the time, Susan didn’t say much to anyone about Skip’s death.

"There was so much contention around the area and California, especially," she said.

So, she’s glad Vietnam vets are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

"They need to be honored," she said.

But there will always be one who’s never far from her mind.