Memorial Day Remembrance....

[MORTARDUDE]

These two men were from my high school. I just hope that others remember their classmates this Memorial Day as well..

RICHARD EARL HARRISON

SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
25th Infantry Division
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 25, 1947
From MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
His tour of duty began on Dec 05, 1966
Casualty was on May 20, 1967
in QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Panel 20E - - Line 60


LLOYD GENE LAMMEY

SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
Engineer Command
21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 22, 1946
From MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Jun 15, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1968
in PLEIKU, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury
GROUND CASUALTY
ACCIDENTAL SELF-DESTRUCTION
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Panel 40E - - Line 8

[82Rigger]

...were graduates of my high school.

Only one, though, from my class of 1964:

Warren Henry Ralya
Corporal
United States Marine Corps
PERSONAL DATA
Home:Shalimar, Florida
DOB:Monday, 10/21/1946
Sex:Male
Race:Caucasian
Married?No
Religion:Roman Catholic
MILITARY DATA
Service:United States Marine Corps
RegularGrade:E4
Rank:Corporal
ID No:2287779
MOS:1833 - ASSAULT AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE CREWMAN
LenSvc:Between 1 and 2 years
Unit:A CO, 1ST AMTRACS, 3RD MARDIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour:Saturday, 03/25/1967
Cas Date:Saturday, 01/20/1968
Age at Loss:21
Remains:Body Recovered
Location:Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Type:Hostile, Died
Reason:Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
THE WALL: Panel 34E Line 091

***

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Crew Chief with Company A, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 January 1968. Company A was participating in blocking operations in conjunction with the Junk Fleet and Vietnamese Popular Forces units along the Cua Viet River near the village of My Loc in Quang Tri Province. As Corporal Ralya's platoon was moving into its blocking position, it suddenly came under intense small-arms and automatic weapons fire and antitank grenade attack from a company-sized North Vietnamese Army ambush force, disabling the platoon's tractor and wounding several Marines. Immediately assessing the situation, Corporal Ralya, heedless of his own safety, unhesitatingly left the relative security of the amphibian tractor and advanced to the open ground on one side of the vehicle and courageously remained exposed to the intense hostile fires while he delivered accurate M-79 grenade fire against the enemy, destroying two automatic weapons positions. Displaying exceptional combat skill and initiative he fearlessly moved to an open area in front of the tractor where his accurate fire destroyed the North Vietnamese antitank grenade launcher that had damaged his vehicle With the amphibian tractor affording the only protection in the immediate area, he steadfastly remained in his exposed situation and delivered highly effective covering fire that enabled the wounded to be moved to safety behind the vehicle. Ignoring a painful injury and refusing to move to the protection of the vehicle, Corporal Ralya continued to fire his weapon until he was wounded a second time and knocked to the ground by the intense North Vietnamese fire. He had risen from the ground and continued to place accurate fire toward the enemy when he was hit for the third time. Refusing medical attention, he handed his weapon to another Marine and, armed with hand grenades, began to crawl toward the enemy positions. He had traveled only a short distance when he succumbed to his wounds. His determined fighting spirit, strong initiative and devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed substantially to the saving of his fellow Marines from further injury and possible death and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

***

My classmate Warren Ralya was posthumously awarded
The Navy Cross.

Semper Fi, Warren

Steve / 82Rigger

[Advisor]

In memorium:

CPT Cecil Moyer, USAF KIA RVN 1970
1LT Paul Bush, USMC KIA Khe Sahn, 1968

When we were kids, we thought war was like the movies. When we grew up, we found out that war is hell. We never dreamed that only one of us would come home & live out our years with our loved ones. I think of you often, guys. We'll meet on Fiddler's Green someday soon. Rest in Peace.