THE WALL OF FACES

I met Richie on the train the day we were inducted and we went through basic training together at Fort Bragg. He was quite a funny guy right from the start. We met again in Vietnam. I walked point for 1st Platoon and he for 3rd. We spent much of the day before he was killed joking around as he was walking right behind me. It was devastating to hear that he had been killed on an early morning patrol the next day. It took a few days for us to recover his body and the other fallen soldier’s. He was my best buddy and I have often thought of him and wondered about his family and his girl friend. It’s awesome to see his profile here and to get the chance to share some of my memories of those days we shared during our service together. All the best to the family!!! He was a great guy!

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your sister Kathy attest to her love and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

A terrible day in a year full of them. This was quite possibly the worst day. Richie was walkin point that day. I could not reach him. This still haunts me. It took 3 days to retrieve his body. Joe Anderson would not back off an inch untill we got him God bless you kid! DOC><

2020 Another Memorial Day
Be thinking about you, as always!

Richie was my childhood friend and his family treated me with kindness and generosity. My association with Richie and the Bowman family was through the local Baptist Church. He and I were in the Royal Ambassadors and his father was a deacon.
I was in Nam 68-69 and discharged in 1970. Richie's death was a real shock. He was a good fellow. Always fun and friendly company. He is greatly missed.