THE WALL OF FACES

All these years I wore your name next to my heart hoping the MIA status would be changed and you would be brought home to your family. Rest in Peace LT Richard Carl Deuter.. You paid the ultimate price in an unpopular war.....Thank you for your service.

Dear Lt Richard Deuter,
Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer (Naval Flight Officer) on the U.S.S. RANGER. You are still MIA.
PLEASE COME HOME.
It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Be at peace.

I served with Lt. Deuter as a Plane Captain in VA-196. I actually have some film footage of him. I remember each time when we lost an aircraft, and I remember when his plane went down. It was always traumatic and sobering for all of us. While I didn't know him closely, I got to know his personality and his dedication to his mission. It was a fearful time for all the Pilots, flying into Laos, and he symbolizes the courage, determination, and patriotism of all the Navy pilots in the Vietnam War. God Bless Richard C. Deuter. SALUTE!

LT Deuter, you went missing in action, in Laos, the day I was born. When I was in Boot Camp for the USAF in 1992, I was able to find an MIA bracelet with your name on. I wore it proudly each and every day, until it was lost during a move. I am now back in the UK, where I was born, and on every 22nd of November, I pause and reflect on the courage and steadfast determination you gave in your service. Now I am able to finally see a picture of you here and hope to see your name on the Wall next summer, when I visit the Washington DC area, with my 13 year old daughter.

LTJG Richard C. Deuter was a Bombardier/Navigator (BN) assigned to Attack Squadron 196 onboard the aircraft carrier USS RANGER. On November 22, 1969, he launched with his pilot, Commander Richards, in their A-6A Intruder aircraft on a bombing mission into Laos. The assigned mission was visual dive-bombing under the control of an airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC). Once in the target area, the FAC assigned a target and the aircraft was rolled into a normal dive-bombing attack. At some point in the dive, probably just before bomb release, the aircraft became completely uncontrollable and began to disintegrate. Commander Richards ordered LTJG Deuter to eject, and then ejected himself. The aircraft continued to disintegrate and crashed into the ground. Only the pilot's parachute was seen by search and rescue aircraft. Commander Richard's emergency radio helped in pinpointing his location and he was rescued by helicopter approximately 30 minutes after landing. Search efforts failed to turn up anything on Deuter. It is believed that the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire in its dive and suffered a structural failure which led to its loss. With all facts considered, it is impossible to state conclusively whether or not Deuter successfully ejected from the aircraft. He was classified Missing in Action. [Taken from pownetwork.org]