THE WALL OF FACES

Semper Fi, Marine.

Steve was my high school sweetheart from 9th grade until we married in December of 1967. We had been married a year and half when he died. Still with me.

Ronald is buried at San Patricio Cemetery in Portland, TX. NCM PH

Ron Campbell was a crew chief in HMM-165 when I was the Boeing Tech.Rep. attached to the squadron. He was bright and cheerful and a joy to work with. He kept flying even though it was scaring him more and more because he didn't want to let his buddies down.

His airplane was shot down on a "milk run",a routine flight to collect parts. A young army PFC scrounged a ride into Camp Evans where his brother was flying as a Huey dust-off pilot. On the approach, the H46 was hit by 50 cal chicom machine gun fire from the ground and set on fire. Ron braved the fire to go to the aid of the PFC, getting him out of the aircraft and saving his life. Ron was caught in the flames, which burned his lungs, ultimately killing him 6 days later in hospital.

"Greater love than this, no man has, but to lay down his life for his friend".

Ironically, I was supposed be flying on that flight but I was delayed and the airplane left without me. The civilian Tech.Rep. Billy Pierce who took my place, was killed in the crash.

Ron was just 21. I stil think about him and miss him. He would be 59 today (2007) but to me he will always be 21.

"They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn."

Semper Fi

Ronald, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you for protecting the freedoms we have today.