THE WALL OF FACES

I grew up in Sayreville and Richie was a friend of my brother. I remember when he was wearing a cast on his foot limping through the apple orchard a few years before the army. I recall hearing of him being KIA and couldn’t believe a friend of my brother, someone from my town fell victim to what I saw on the news every night. Now, 53 years later, I’m still horrified and I will never forget his sacrifice nor his name. God bless you Richie and God bless all who served with you.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

We will always remember you. May god keep you. And thank you

Sergeant Richard Edward Biesiada, Served with F Troop, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On May 21, 1968, a group of nineteen M113A1 armored personnel carriers (APC’s) from F Troop, 17th Cavalry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, was conducting a search and clear operation in Quang Nam Province, RVN. While returning to their base camp, the lead track, operated by members of 2nd Platoon, arrived at a stream where they looked for a safe area to cross. The lead track was ordered to cross at a previously used crossing, however, they refused because of the fear of a buried land mine placed there by the enemy. The command track, driven by SP4 James W. Starkey, was then ordered to cross the previously used crossing point. As it traversed the stream, a violent explosion occurred. Starkey and gunners SP4 Richard E. Biesiada and PFC Robert David were killed in the blast. Two others were critically wounded, including SSG Alton L. Singletary, who was medivacked to a U.S. Navy hospital ship where he later succumbed to his injuries. Singletary was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class. Starkey and Biesiada were promoted to Sergeant, and David was promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by James Sursely (May 2018)]