THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SSgt Richard Swiger, Thank you for your service as an Armor Crewman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Flag Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On September 6, 1969, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, a mechanized armor unit, road-marched nearly one hundred miles from their Blackhorse Base Camp to Firebase Aspen II, southwest of An Loc, to begin reconnaissance missions in the area. The following day, an enemy combatant captured at the village of Binh Ninh revealed that elements of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments, 9th North Vietnamese Army (NVA), and the 101D Regiment, 1st NVA Division, were located in the rubber plantations west of An Loc. The 3rd Squadron received the information from the interrogation of the prisoner around noon. The squadron commander was familiar with the enemy's staging area from a previous battle in June 1969. By 2:30 PM, they were approaching the rubber plantation when the troopers saw movement within the rubber trees. The commanders verified that there were no friendly forces in the area and opened fire. The enemy returned fire with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The squadron commander orchestrated supporting fires, pounding the enemy with artillery, helicopter gunships, and air strikes. The Americans drove its attack north into the center of the enemy bunker complex, laying down heavy suppressive fires with its M48A3 Patton tanks and M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAVs). After casualties were taken, a medevac helicopter was requested, but a Viet Cong recoilless rifle crew shot the 15th Medical Battalion UH-1H (tail number 68-15449) aircraft down while it was flying into the landing zone. Two crewmen were killed, medic SP4 Gary L. Bowdler and SGT James W. Megehee (posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant). The Blackhorse troops swept the recoilless rifle team with fire, killing its crew. They continued to sweep the area, but the enemy broke contact. As night fell, Blackhorse units withdrew as air strikes pounded the enemy bunker complex. The 3rd Squadron’s rapid reaction to the intelligence information led to defeat and disruption of the enemy. The 101D Regiment left ninety-eight dead on the battlefield. Blackhorse losses were two killed and twenty-seven wounded. The lost troopers were SGT Leo F. Hartsuff (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for bravery during the battle) and SSG Richard J. Swiger. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam, January 1969 Through June 1970” by MAJ Edward J. Chesney]

I didn’t know Richard but I do know many who did from his days in scouting through high school. He remains in thoughts and hearts.

Richard’s family and friends keep his memory alive. Many of those who attended Victory High School with him have posted remembrances of him on the alumni group’s Facebook page.

Should have been in writing a long time ago.

New Richard (Redbone) from high school, 4-H camp and one year junior college. Roomed across the hall from each other. Hours for touch football and hearts.

Hitchhiked home on weekends, rode train back or one parents brought back.

Moving wall was here (Greenville, SC) few years ago. TV reporter saw placing picture from jc yearbook and his Wall location (which my wife had rubbed when there). Was able to talk and was on local tv.

Truly, have never been forgotten.

Thank you Richard for paying the ultimate for our country.