THE WALL OF FACES

Ard was my roommate at Ft Wolters. I cried when I received word of his death. I understand his remains were finally brought back to the USA in 2002 to Albertville , Alabama.

I served with Randy in Viet Nam. He and I shared a sleep-bunker during the action that eventually took his life. He was a great pilot and a good friend. I will never forget him.

DEAR CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER ARD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMY UTILITY-OBSERVATION HELICOPTER PILOT. I READ THAT YOU WERE FOUND. WELCOME HOME, AND REST IN PEACE.

I was only about 4 1/2 yrs old according to the date of casualty, but I remember the bracelet. His family were member of our church. Here at the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, there is a Vietnam memorial booth in a hangar. I always make a point to go out to the hangar so I can go see the bracelets. Every time I go in this booth, I am overwhelmed with so much sadness and when I see those bracelets I cry. I've read articles about him and what happened and I can't imagine what he and his fellow soldiers were going through, and to be so young. Rest in peace Randy.

You Have Not Been Forgotten!

The Society of the Fifth Division, U.S. Army, during its 95th Annual Reunion in Pittsburgh, PA (Sept 10-14, 2015) , held a Reading of the Names Ceremony to honor the 514 Soldiers from the 5th Division that were Killed in Action during the War in Vietnam. Your Name Was Read Aloud Among Those Soldiers. You Have Not Been Forgotten! Rest in Peace, Dear Brother.

Tom Grafton, A. Co. 7th Engineers, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mech)
1968-69