THE WALL OF FACES

The "Friends of Rocky Versace" remember one of Rocky's fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1LT Richard Albert Green, USMA class of 1970, on what would've been his 70th birthday - 15 December 2018.

1LT Richard A. Green was a platoon leader serving with F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry. On the night of December 3, 1971, 1LT Green was in charge of positioning a squad from F Troop on an ambush patrol west of Ben Suc in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. While checking the locations of his men, Green was mistaken for an enemy soldier and was fired on. He was fatally injured in the incident. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dick, we all miss you. You and I put in papers for Vietnam from 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division in Freidberg, Germany in 1971. My paperwork was delayed as my father, COL Wiliam C. Malkemes was in Vietnam at the time.

You went and paid the ultimate price. I would gladly have been your battle buddy if we could have gone together - I went to Vietnam in 72-73 after flight school.

You were a great West Point classmate, a brave fellow combat officer and even better friend. Serve with Integrity, Class of '70. You always did, my friend.

Rest in Peace.

1LT Richard Albert Green was an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was one of 335 men from West Point who died or are MIA in Southeast Asia during the period October, 1957 – September, 1972. Well done, be thou at peace.

Thinking of you, Richard, on this 4th of July and once again thank you for your service and sacrifice. Time continues to go by, but you and all those who selflessly gave their all in the service of our country will never be forgotten. God bless you and your family and may you continue to rest in peace.