THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Linda is moving and reflects her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Sp4 Dickie Leach, Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring! 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.

My name is Krysteen Wescott and I am the daughter of Sgt 1st class Robert H Wescott Jr. It meant a lot to me to find your picture.Your family gave it to me. You are remembered.

I met Dickie while I was working at the Alameda Drive In Theater and I remember him being so sweet and so handsome. He gave me his address and asked me to write him while he was overseas and I did....he talked about coming home after his tour and us getting married. I hardly knew him but he seemed to like me a lot and I wanted to get to know him when he returned home. When my letters returned, I knew something was horribly wrong. Then a friend of his brother's told me. I was heartbroken. I visioned this man being my soul mate and I was so excited as to what the future might bring. Now, I had to say goodbye and forever. I remember going to his service and his family coming over to me and asking if I was Linda. I guess he told them about me.....

Dickie Lynn Leach
Dickie Lynn Leach was born in Aptos, California on
September 17, 1945, to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Leach, who
were newcomers to the community. The Leach family also
included sons Clarence, Melvin, Calvin and Michael and
daughters Mary and Patricia. Dickie grew up in Santa Cruz
County and attended elementary school in Aptos until
1957, when his family moved to Alameda, California. He
continued grammar school in Alameda and presumably
also attended high school in that community.
In March 1964, Leach enlisted in the US Army and
upon completion of basic and advanced individual training
courses was assigned to duty in Vietnam. During a combat
engagement at an unidentified location in July 1966, he was
wounded and hospitalized. Following a year’s recuperation
in an army hospital and with his tour coming to an end, he
re-enlisted and was assigned to Germany for a year.
Leach returned to Vietnam in April 1968 and joined
the 101st Air Cav Division aerial weapons Company B as a
helicopter gunner. On August 8, 1968, Gunship #66-15277
flew into the A Shau Valley in the Thua Thien Province and was
brought down by an NVA rocket-propelled grenade, killing
Specialist Fourth Class Dickie Lynn Leach and fellow crewmembers.
His body was recovered and returned to Alameda for a
funeral and burial in Golden Gate National Cemetery in
San Bruno, CA.
Source
Remembering our Own
The Santa Cruz County Military Roll of Honor 1861-2010
By Robert L Nelson
The Museum of Art & History @ The McPherson Center
2010
Page 225