Monday, April 18, 2022
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I landed in Da Nang Vietnam on Feb. 17, 1968 with Lime 3/27. I was in 1st platoon and was in Sgt. Stone's squad with Richard. Not long after we arrived we were on a platoon patrol south of our Battalion Hq. After setting up our platoon patrol base Richard was tasked with leading a fire team patrol to Phu Loc 6. As Richard and his team advanced to check point 1 at Phu Loc 6 his point man, Pfc. Roger Cooley crested a sand dune and was heading to an area of very dense vegetation when he gunfire erupted and he was shot in the leg. As he fell he rolled down the sand dune towards the enemy positions. Without any hesitation Richard went over the top of the sand dune to Roger, picked him up, retrieved his weapon and hauled him to the relative safety of the other side of the sand dune. Richard saved Roger's life as that sand dune played a pivotal role in the ensuing firefight as two other members of our squad lost their lives. But that was Richard, he answered the call of duty and served with honor. The last time I saw Richard in Vietnam was on May 18, 1968. Myself and another Marine carried our executive officer to an LZ for a medivac after he had been shot, we laid the Lt. down and then I saw Richard lying on the ground with a bullet wound in his leg. Little did I know I wouldn't see Richard again for 30 years or so when he and Janice came out to Ca. to visit. Thru the years we emailed each other, spoke on the phone and visited at a reunion. Richard was a brave Marine and a great friend, my condolences to Janice and her family.
Mel Thane L 3/27
