THE WALL OF FACES

It seems every family is touched by some tragic event. It is something you never forget. Today, I remember that 56 years ago my brother, Richard J Healy was serving as a Marine in Viet Nam and we received the sad news that he had paid the ultimate sacrifice and was killed while giving first aid to another. He had a great impact on the lives of family, friends and fellow Marines and there are still people who speak highly of him. He served with a sense of patriotism, pride and love for his country. We will always love and miss him. Thanks to all who have served, are serving or will serve

Corporal Richard John Healy, Served with Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your siblings Barb and Mike are moving and reflect their enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Hill 881 South was one of several hill masses north of the Khe Sanh Combat Base (KSCB) in northwest Quang Tri Province. To prevent North Vietnamese Army observation of KSCB and the possible use as of the peaks as firebases, the hills surrounding Khe Sanh Valley had to be continuously occupied and defended by Marine elements. On the afternoon of January 14, 1968, 2LT Randall D. Yeary led a reconnaissance patrol towards friendly lines on Hill 881 South after four days in the jungle. As the patrol moved down the south slope of Hill 881 North, one kilometer from their destination, the North Vietnamese caught them in an ambush. In the opening shots of the fight, a rocket-propelled grenade round killed Yeary and CPL Richard J. Healy. The six remaining men in the patrol, heavily outgunned and all but two wounded, withdrew, leaving their comrade’s bodies behind. Nearby, under heavy fire, helicopters extracted the survivors. A platoon from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines searched the area later and recovered the bodies. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining Year, 1968” by Shulimson]

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine