THE WALL OF FACES

Dear A2C Oliver Riddle, Thank you for your service with the 377t Air Police Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is soon, and still very sad. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Oliver I am your 52 year old neice. Though I never got to meet you, because my mother (Oliver's sister-Alice) was three months pregnant with me when you were killed. Thank you for your service, dedication, love and the freedom you fought for our country. You are thought of often, and I hope to one day meet you in heaven. I am sure you have already met my mother in heaven. You will always be remembered.

Thank you Airman Riddle for saving my life and many others during the December attack on Tan Son Nhut AB . It took me a long time to find your name so I would be able to say thank you. RIP Sir.

Ollie...we were stationed together at Cape Charles Radar Site and both were AP’s on the bases only post, the main gate! Such though duty we had back then. I shipped out to Viet Nam in January 1966 based at Phan Rang on the coast of the South China Sea in the Central Highlands. I finished my tour and flew out of Saigon on Christmas Eve 1966. We all heard of the Dec. attack and were proud the 377 AP Security Force in Ton Sun Nhut but it was several years later that I learned you were a casualty! I know you were doing your best....you did good man!

A2C Oliver J. Riddle, A2C John M. Cole, and A2C George M. Bevich Jr. were security policemen serving with the 377th Air Police Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Gia Dinh Province, RVN. On the night of December 4, 1966, the air base was attacked by an estimated force of 60 Viet Cong who attempted to infiltrate the base. Security dog handlers, including A2C Bevich, were alerted and led the defense against the base. A furious battle ensued between the infiltrators and 50 members of the 377th Air Police Squadron. By dawn the communists had dispersed, leaving 18 dead and four prisoners. Three policemen were killed in the battle including Riddle, Cole, and Bevich. Two security dogs were also killed and six handlers and two of their dogs were wounded. Seventeen of the dog handlers were later cited for bravery with A2C Bevich receiving the Silver Star posthumously. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Man’s Best Friend Has Special Meaning to Southeast Asia Bases.” Armed Forces News Service (AFNS), date unknown.]