THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Dear PO2C Richard Langford, Thank you for your service as an Engineman 2nd Class on the USS BEXAR. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. For many of us, we have begun Lent. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

"An anniversary I wish I could forget."
April 23, 1965
Your Sister,
Wanda

On April 23, 1965, a 1st Force Recon Company patrol conducted a landing of a reconnaissance team at a small beach at the confluence of the Son Bon Tran River in Quang Nam Province, RVN, when it was engaged by an estimated 25 Viet Cong enemy combatants upon insertion. The patrol was able to withdraw under fire to the LCVP landing craft, but two sailors and one Marine were killed in the action. TM3 William R. Fuhrman was the .30 caliber gunner on the boat and was credited with saving Marines’ lives at the cost of his own. EN2 Richard H. Langford kept the boat running and returned fire until he too was killed by enemy fire. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions. CPL Lowell H. Merrell was the only member of the seven-man recon team lost in the engagement. He was wounded by Viet Cong rifle fire after being inserted onto a beach and was hit again as CPL Dennis Taylor carried him back to a boat. Merrell died from wounds to chest, shoulder, and leg. A Marine camp on China Beach one mile south of Marble Mountain Air Facility was named after him. He had escaped from a similar attack two days previously. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, gia-vuc.com, and information provided by David R. Sanchez at vvmf.org (September 2001); also the book “U.S. Marines In Vietnam: The Landing And The Buildup, 1965” by Dr. Jack Shulimson and MAJ Charles M. Johnson]

We arrived in. Vietnam November 1964,on attack transport trtransport uss bexar apa 237. Langford was so proud and happy anticipating fatherhood. He volunteered t.a.d on a mission and was fired upon by vc , langford returning fire was killed in April65. I along with crew salute this brave and well liked shipmate. Fred. Mainor Sr. 254 224 7969