08 Jul 1999 Ralph, I remember you well in Marine boot camp Platoon 1004. Quiet, but very determined! I was very sorry to see your name on the Wall in DC. You were one of four Marines from our platoon that was KIA. Lovan, Spirito, and Thomas were the other three. I'll say this for the rest of the platoon: We are proud of all of you guys. "Another Marine reporting, SIR!" Semper Fi, Richard J. Mullins Formerly Port Clinton, Ohio Former Marine 67-71 ascottishdrummer@aol.com

 

04 Apr 2004 Ralph, I remember you because of your quiet bravery in defense of your friends. Semper Fi, Paul Larson Northern I Corps, 68-69 E-mail address is not available.

 

28 Dec 2006 Ralph was my first cousin. His mother and mine were twin sisters. His mother, Gladys Anderson, was a widow with only one child, and had to sign a release for Ralph to enlist. She did so because he was so intent on becoming a Marine. Gladys missed him very much after he was killed in action and lived alone for the rest of her life. Of course, she had her family, but not her son. She became a Gold Star Mother from Massachusetts and was one of five GS Mothers who traveled to Viet Nam to dedicate a hospital given by donors from Massachusetts through an organization whose name I do not remember. At the dedication of the hospital, she gave a wonderful speech which was broadcast on Walter Cronkite's newscast. I was privileged to see it, although I did not have any notice. Ralph is the only family member to have served in Viet Nam and the family is very proud of his service and sacrifice. We only became aware of this website earlier this year when my grandaughter was doing a college reasearch assignment on that conflict. Ralph's family and I are very proud of him and all of the service men and women who responded when their country called. God bless you all. From a cousin, Walter H. Johnson (Skip) 234 Round Cove Road, Chatham, Ma 02633 skip.johnson@comcast.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1st Bn, 3rd Marines lost 13 men in a bitter fight at Phu Tai (3) hamlet, 3 kilometers northeast of Dong Ha village in Quang Tri Province: A Company: LCpl Leslie Cook, Philadelphia, PA LCpl Abraham R. Derryberry, Shreveport, LA (Silver Star) LCpl Richard Ginal, Detroit, MI LCpl Ralph L. Hammel, Duncansville, PA LCpl William J. Muldovan, Watertown, NY Pfc Carmine Casillo, Buffalo, NY Pfc Edward L. Hoover, Huntersville, NC Pfc Sterling P. Johnson, Carlin, NV Pfc George M. Lamberton, Doraville, GA D Company: Cpl Esau Whitehead, New York, NY Pfc Ralph R. Berg, Paxton, MA Pfc Richard D. Hall, Whittier, CA H&S Company: LCpl Stephen W. Hathaway, Tucson, AZ The other men identified by Mr. Mullins in the entry above are Pfc Peter J. Lovan, Kilo 3/7, killed in action 02 Aug 1968; Pfc Anthony J. Spirito, Charlie Co, 11th Engineers, killed in action 05 Feb 1968; and Pfc Bruce M. Thomas, Mike 3/3, killed in action 09 Jan 1968.

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