TAPS ...... 2007

Those gone but not forgotten

Our prayers and best wishes go out to those left behind. The Brothers and Sisters of the Mobile Riverine Force Association wish the departed fair winds and following seas and our thoughts will always be with you....

TAPS Tribute to a Fallen One

What moves through you is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, you may not understand why he left this earth so soon, or why he left before you were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, you begin to remember not just that he died, but that he lived. And that his life gave you memories too beautiful to forget.

Remembering Vietnam Veterans
Over 2.6 million served
Over 58,000 gave their lives
They fought for freedom
They fought with honor
In the end they fought for one another

A Soldier Died Today

John R. Secor

John R. “TOP” Secor, 1stSgt, (U.S.A. Ret.) passed away February 5, 2007. "Top" served with C Co, 4/47th and A Co, 2/47th (Mech) Infantry in 1968-69 and C Co, 5/60th in 1969-70. Top is one reason a lot of us made it home. We all have a lot of gratitude and respect for him and for all he did for us in Vietnam. That appreciation for him was often reflected by us as we visited with him at reunions 30 some years later.

"Thanks Top for always being there for us when we needed help.  You always had the right wise answer. You are a first class Soldier's Hero and every time I think of the proud time we soldiers served together, your strong character and integrity will always be remembered as one of Honor." - Ja Wan Thompson 2/47th

"John “Top” Secor served as 1st Sgt in Charlie Rangers, 5/60th Infantry after his duty with the Panthers. As company commander I could not have had a more professional right hand man and friend. It was my honor to soldier with Top Secor. The world is in mourning today; a Soldier has passed away.  May he rest in peace." - Terry Stull 5/60th

"I knew this man he was a fine Soldier and leader of men." - Bill Reynolds C Co 4/47th

Charles C. Ross, Jr.

Wesley Howard

You can View the obituary here: http://www.shurdenkelley.com/obituary09.html

"I am the granddaughter of Wesley Howard and I would like to start off by thanking all of you members of the USS White River for being such good friends to my grandpa. You all meant a lot to him. As you know he passed away after a very bad battle with lung cancer. My grandfather was very proud to be a member of the White River ship and we certainly appreciate all of your cards, calls, thoughts, prayers, and flowers. It truly does mean a lot to know he meant as much to you all as you meant to him. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers for this has been a great loss to our family. And we certainly appreciate everything. Also I am trying to find out how to get his medals so if anyone knows where I need to send to get those could you please let me know. Thank you again." Sincerely, Tabetha Boss

Thomas X. Szewczyk

Gary Lee Merritt

"Gary had Colon Cancer and battled it for two years. He went from 237 lbs. to 110 lbs. In January he told me that he was not going to die until Spring and he made it. I went with him when he went to the Doctor after all his tests. The Doctor told him he had 6 months to live, maybe, even with chemo. Gary laughed and said he would show him that was not so. He lived long enough to see his first Grandchild born and spent last Christmas with her. He was thrilled and happier than I have ever seen him. So, in a way he did beat the cancer and did a lot of living in his time left on this Earth before he crossed to the other side of the River where he now is in peace and harmony. He was a good Friend, Team Mate, and kind generous person. Many of us are still alive today because of his expertise with the M-60 and Fifty Caliber in Nam." - Paul W. Cagle - RivSec/Div 532

Darrell Wayne Storck

David C. Clutch

Gary Wayne Harvey

David Lipko

Rollie Gangler

Donald Gene Williams

Gary Speckman

John F. Doyle

Howard Green

Howard Green's webpage: http://www.9thinfantrydivision.com/html/green1.htm

Frank L. Gunn

Member Jim Stone

=====================================================

Excerpts from the Obituary of BG Frank L. Gunn from the Sunday, May 20, 2007 Daily Press –

HAMPTON, [VA] – Brig Gen (Ret.) Frank L. Gunn, 87, died Thursday, May 17, 2007. Born in Crawfordville, GA, March 21, 1920, he graduated in 1941 as President of his class from the University of Georgia with a BSA degree in Plant Pathology and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry.

General Gunn served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, beginning in 1941 and ending with his retirement in 1971. He served in World War II for eight campaigns in the 9th Infantry Division as a Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and as a Regimental Commander. He rose in rank from 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel during the three years of war in Africa, Sicily, England, France, Belgium and Germany. His battalion captured the first German General and Admiral in Europe during WWII.

After attending the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College, and a tour in the Pentagon, he became Chief of Staff of the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. He then returned to the Army War College where he headed the Army Strategic Studies Group in the Institute of Advanced Studies. He then attended and graduated from the Management for the Executive Course at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business.

He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1964 and assigned as Deputy Commanding General of the Training Center at Fort Ord, California for two years. His next assignment was as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command from 1966 to 1968. During this time, the Command recruited 200,000 non-prior service recruits in one year and simultaneously ran 72 Armed Forces Induction Centers.

His next assignment was to the 9th Infantry Division in the Delta of Vietnam where he was the Assistant Division Commander and, in the absence of the Division Commander, he commanded the division, the same division he served with in WWII. Thus he commanded at every level in the same division in battle. After one year, he served at the Theater Headquarters as Assistant Chief of Staff for Military Assistance.

General Gunn’s decorations include two Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, Distinguished Flying Cross, 19 Air Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Citations, numerous service medals and awards and numerous foreign decorations from France, Belgium and Vietnam.

Listed in Who’s Who in America in 1972-1975 and Who’s Who in the World in 1978-1979, he was also selected and served as “Honorary Colonel of his WWII Regiment” the 39th Infantry Regiment.

Burial with Full Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 19, 2007.

Memorials may be in the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Blvd., Suite A102, Newport News, VA 23606.

Tommy Walker

Robert E. Foley

Peter Ball

Frank Humphreys II

August 17, 2007:

Frederick K. Fausel

Robert Long

At this time we’re not sure what boats passed away from.  May Robert Boats Long rest in peace...

Arthur W. Price, Jr.

Julius Conner "J.C." Brown

“J.C.” Brown passed away suddenly.  He was suffering from Diabetes and other ailments related to his service in Vietnam.  J.C. served with RAS 13/RAD 131 onboard A-131-5 in  1969-70.  He operated on the Vinh Te Canal/Chau Doc area of operation.

"J.C. and I have been close for 39 years.  I was there when he was married and saw his two boys, Charlie and Laddy, born.  J.C.'s wife passed away last year.  It is a sad day." - Bruce McIver served on T-131-7).

Charles Schroeder

Robert F. Smith

Paul A. Sakala

Carleton R. Russell

Alan Wargel

William W. Jones Jr.

"Colonel Jones and I were the lead track on 31 Jan 68 in the Tet Offensive in defense of 2nd Field Force in long Binh/Binh Hoa Province. The fighting was fierce. Again in May 68 at the Battle of the Y-Bridge in Cholon we led the way. Bill Jones always led from the front on any contact. His call sign was "Panther 3".

Russ Vibberts - "Panther 33"

Darcey E. Swank

Edwin C. Cross

Everette "Yogi" Hebert

William F. Crain

Robert Allen Ellis

Albert Festag

George C. Benson

"He was the epitome of an officer and gentleman. And under the most trying conditions of combat he never rattled or lost his cool. He was in every respect an outstanding leader and his staff and his men loved him. During the Post Tet campaign and the battle of “The Y Bridge: he was credited with commanding seven maneuver battalions and two ARVN Battalions including one ARVN ranger battalion successfully." - LTC Richard "Dick" Crotty

Jack Peachey

William Batson, Jr.

Robert Morse

Marvin Lisle

Stanford E. Ward

William J. Busby

William J. Busby, BT3, passed away on January 10, 2007. While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 11 - River Assault Division 112.

Russell C. Sprinkle

Aldo F. Rossi

Aldo F. Rossi, YN1,  passed away on May 25, 2007.  While in Vietnam he served on the USS Garrett County (LST-786) from October 1969 to October 1970.  You may contact the family C/O: 1044 Mendon Rd, Woonsocket, RI 02895 - (401) 765-7997

Percy L. Christian Jr.

Percy L. Christian Jr., IC2, passed away July 22, 2007.  While in Vietnam he served on the USS Garrett County (LST-786) in 1969 and 1970.

James D. Guest

Jay R. Miller

Eddie Ray Trimmer

Grover L. Trew

A Soldier Died Today
Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened,
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer
For old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer,
For a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary
And quite uneventful life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing,
Though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories,
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
A guy who breaks his promises
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who,
In times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them,
For many times it's so, 
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."