Ralph Allan Vitch
Specialist Four
3RD PLT, A CO, 1ST BN, 501ST INFANTRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Tampa, Florida
March 04, 1949 to May 25, 1969
RALPH A VITCH is on the Wall at Panel W24, Line 108

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Ralph A Vitch
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Ralph A Vitch

SP4 RALPH ALLAN VITCH

 
31 May 2004

Ralph, it's Memorial Day 2004. Just wanted to say thank you.

Bob



28 May 2005

Ralph, thanks again on this Memorial Day 2005, for your sacrifice to your country.

It seems they lost one of my remembrances of you, maybe the one about the gasparilla parade. What a hoot!

I found out on this site that you have a son. Congratulations. I bet he couldn't be prouder of his dad.

Rest in peace, my friend.



26 May 2006

Ralph, just thinking about you today. I can't believe it has been 37 years since you were killed in that stupid war.

I'm going to see my shrink at the V.A. hospital today and we will probably talk about you a lot. Rest in peace, buddy. Your friend Bob.



28 May 2007

Ralph, I was just thinking about you again on this Memorial Day weekend. I made my first trip to the Wall, in November with my brother. I made a rubbing of your name as well as some other friends of mine who didn't come home. It was a very emotional encounter, but something I felt I needed to do. I think of you often, my friend. Bob



From his brother-in-arms,
Bob Wooldridge
101bob@verizon.net

 
20 Jan 2005

According to those who served with him Ralph Vitch was the eternal optimist. As a gentle, sensitive young man some would say that Ralph did not belong on the field of battle and in fact he held a job in the company rear for a while. However when the time came in the midst of battle Ralph fought like the soldier he was trained to be. More than that he fought with bravery and aggression as he got the best of an NVA machine gunner in a one-on-one exchange of fire. He then chased an enemy soldier out of a bunker and shot him dead. One clean shot from a sniper's rifle struck Ralph, mortally wounding him. Ralph is remembered fondly by those with whom he served. Rest in peace, Eagle Brother.

From a Screaming Eagle researcher,
Roger Ables
redleg101@charter.net


 
30 Mar 2005

My dear brother, you are sorely missed.
Not a day goes by that you are not thought of and in this your spirit felt within my son.

Thank you for watching over us all. Love always, John.

From his brother and friend,
John A Vitch
johnallenvitch@aol.com


 
20 Jun 2006

Ralph, I talked with your father Sunday to wish him Happy Father's Day. He has not forgotten you and never stopped loving you. He will be 90 years old this August and tells me your son is the living image of you.

I am so sorry that it took me so long to find out who I really am, and so sorry that your brother died so young. Your sister Helen has married "an Irishman" and lives in Ireland now. Your cousins Charlotte and Rita remember you with love and we all deeply regret your valiant death.

Your loving aunt,
Ann
peltoann@msn.com


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Alpha Company, 1/501st Infantry, lost two men on 25 May 1969, SP4 Ralph A. Vitch and CPL Mario Lamelza of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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