THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Lawrence D. Richmond was a supply man serving with C Company, 554th Engineer Battalion, 79th Engineer Group, U.S. Army Vietnam Engineer Command. Richmond arrived in Vietnam in May 1969, serving with the 554th Engineer Battalion, the 79th Group’s only construction battalion. The 554th conducted base construction and highway improvement projects with most of their efforts taking place at the 25th Infantry Division’s Cu Chi camp and along National Routes QL-1 and QL-22. At Cu Chi, improvements included building bunkers and revetments for the 12th Evacuation Hospital and reconstructing a concrete and asphalt helipad for the hospital’s medical evacuation helicopters. In April 1970, Richmond was scheduled to be sent home. His tenure with the 554th was marked with undisclosed deficiencies, and despite six years of Army service, he was returned to or failed to rise above the rank of private. Like all outbound enlisted personnel, Richmond was transferred the 90th Replacement Battalion for out-processing to the United States. The 90th Replacement Battalion was located on Long Binh Post, a sprawling U.S. Army base in Bien Hoa Province, RVN, situated twelve miles northeast of the capital of Saigon. On the afternoon of April 17, 1970, just days before catching his “Freedom Bird” flight home, Richmond fell ill and was admitted to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh. He expired later that evening. A death certificate listed “Shock & Acidosis of Unknown Etiology” as the cause of death. The condition of acidosis has many causes. In otherwise healthy young men, it may be the result of an alcohol use disorder. In Richmond’s case, postmortem studies were conducted to determine its cause; however, those results have not been made available by the Army for public inspection. Richmond was 25 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas]

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POSTED ON 12.8.2024

POSTED BY: [email protected]

PFC Lawrence D. Richmond’s Military ID

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

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POSTED ON 3.16.2024

POSTED BY: ANON

Never Forgotten

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

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POSTED ON 11.3.2023

POSTED BY: john fabris

do not stand at my grave and weep....

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

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POSTED ON 3.16.2023

POSTED BY: Dennis Wriston

I'm Proud of Our Vietnam Veterans

Private First Class Lawrence Douglas Richmond, Served with Company C, 554th Engineer Battalion, 79th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam. Montani Semper Liberi !

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