THE WALL OF FACES

Dick was a friend who has lived within me since our time together in flight school. His easy going demeanor and quick humor applied to otherwise worrysome matters is unforgettable. I can't recall a conversation that Dick didn't interject humor into. During our time together we endured the rigors of Flight and Warrant Officer Candidate training, spent weekends at the beach together, and broke away from our assigned Survival, Escape, Evasion and Rescue Training Exercise group to form a two man team that completed the course without being captured. We were pleased to get orders that would let us fly together in the 1st Infantry Division. My orders were changed upon arrival and I never saw my cheerful, optimistic friend again. Thank you for your friendship that lives so strong within me. God Bless

I do not know if we were related.
But having the same sir name and love of aviation. I feel I would have liked to meet him.

I visit the wall and pay tribute to him.

John W. Strong

For 48 years I have carried you and your friends and family in my heart. On October 21, 1968 my brother was the pilot of the helicopter that you both lost your life on with 8 other men. 48 years later I still tremble when I think about all the lives cut so short. Thank you for your service and in a strange way I thank you for being there with Bob when he died. When I go to the Wall I think of the crew as friends who took their last ride together. I always look up your name, touch it, and say a prayer.

Dear WO Richard William Strong Jr, 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 W. (Dick) Strong, Jr. was my older brother and my hero. There was never much question that we would serve. Our Grandpa Holmgren had a 'wooden' leg from WWI, our father served as a medic in WWII and Korea, and our Uncle Bob Strong flew B-24's during WWII and remained active as a pilot in the reserves. By the time Dick entered college, all he really wanted to do was to fly - and the Army would teach him to fly helicopters without a college degree. He quit Pacific Lutheran University before the end of his first semester and joined the Army.

They did teach him how to fly. I'll never forget the look on his face when he would talk about flying - he just loved it. But flying helicopters for the Army in 1968 meant Vietnam. The first time he was shot down, the only concerns he shared with me were for his crewman who had been wounded and that I 'Don't tell Mom and Dad.'

Dick was killed in October of 1968 when his helicopter was shot down (his fourth time) shortly after picking up troops. There were no survivors, but I know that Dick gave everything he had to bring them safely home.

I hope that somewhere, somehow, my hero brother is able to look down with pride on my two sons, and my granddaughters and grandsons who know and respect the stories of 'Uncle Dick' who loved to fly and served his country and his fellow soldiers with honor. I only wish that he was here beside me to enjoy them.