THE WALL OF FACES

On May 17, 1966, Operation Hardihood commenced with two battalions of the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 1st/503rd and the 2nd/503rd, flying into the Nui Dat area in Phuoc Tuy Province, RVN, to begin a sweep of the surrounding countryside. The Americans encountered several groups of Viet Cong of company size, and it was apparent that there was at least one enemy battalion in the area of Nui Dat, assisted by some companies of guerillas. One of the American companies was badly mauled on the first day of the operation. At 3:30 PM, Bravo Company of the 1st/503rd was moving up the western slope of Hill 72, one and a half miles north of Nui Dat. They knew that they were being followed by a Viet Cong rifleman carrying a radio, but they did not know that in their path was a Viet Cong company who were being guided by the man with the radio. The Americans were caught in deadly cross fire of a box ambush to which were quickly added 60mm mortar bombs. By the time that they had extricated themselves, they had lost 12 killed and 19 wounded—a heavy blow for an infantry company to sustain. The lost Sky Soldiers included PFC Artis W. Anderson, PFC Richard W. Bullock, PFC Walter L. Burroughs, SP4 Tony Dedman, PFC Kenneth E. Duncan, PFC Felix Esparza Jr., PVT Allen M. Garrett, SGT Edward Hamilton, PFC Johnny Harrison, SP4 Richard M. Patrick, SGT William E. Walters, and PFC Jimmy L. Williams. One of the wounded, MSGT Frank L. Huddleston, spent a year in a hospital recovering from a spinal injury. From 1968 to 1991, he was able to get around on leg braces and crutches. However, progressive nerve damage forced him into a wheelchair. Eventually, Huddleston’s kidneys began to fail, and on August 15, 2002, he died at 68 years-old after living with his wounds for 36 years. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, nytimes.com, 5rar.asn.au, and virtualwall.org]

Dear SP4 Richard Michael Patrick, 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

(Photo Credit: Kirk Coppinger)

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Here is the link to Richard's Shadow Box:

http:army.togetherweserved.comarmyservlettws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=63583

Richard is buried at Parker Community Cemetery, Parker, La Paz County,AZ. BSM PH