THE WALL OF FACES

LCPL Michael J. Burke, PFC Leonard J. Lewandowski Jr. and PFC Richard E. Mishuk were assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam. On October 19, 1966, their Marine Corps unit was operating in northern Quang Nam Province about 15 miles northwest of Da Nang when the three men went missing. Oddly, USMC notations indicate that the three were swimming near the Cua Viet River when they were last seen, yet the incident is considered battle-related. No one saw them drown or die; if they were captured, no one witnessed it. The men were classified Missing in Action, and their families waited for word. The Burke family spoke with a member of the 1st Marines who was part of a search party for the three. They were told that the unit tracked their son for three months as the Viet Cong moved him from village to village. The Mishuk family was told by Marine officials that it was "unusual to find no bodies at all if all three drowned." When American prisoners were released 6 1/2 years later, the Burke, Lewandowski and Mishuk families were heartbroken that their sons were among them. Military authorities at the time were shocked that hundreds known or suspected prisoners of war were not released. No information ever surfaced on the fates of Burke, Lewandowski and Mishuk. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

In the mid 80"s I bought a bracelet in Mankato, MN that bore this Name. I passed it on to a friend when I could no longer wear it and I hope it is still out there. I have never forgotten the name, rank, date missing or branch of service. I now have 2 sons one a Marine and pray for his safety daily.

Semper Fi, Staff Sergeant.

Dear SSGT Richard Edward Mishuk, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Richard has a military marker in his memory at Ft Snelling National Cemetery.