Marine Private First Class Ronald Dudley Rich

Marine Private First Class Ronald Dudley Rich
born  January 8, 1944, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA
died 28 December 28, 1966 (aged 22), Quảng Nam, Vietnam
buried  Roselawn Gardens Of Memory
Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, USA

parents M Dudley and Margaret Newsome Rich
hometown - Decatur AL
Home of record - Decatur AL
Priceville High School

MOS - 1833-Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewman
Unit - 1966-1966, 1833, A Co, 1st Amtrac Bn 3rd Marine Division, III MAF

Operaration
1966-1966 Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase II Campaign (1966-67)/Operation Teton
Teton - Oct 11 – 20; 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines search and destroy operation in the Quảng Nam Province.

 Start Tour: Not Recorded
 Incident Date: 12/28/1966
 Casualty Date: 12/28/1966

1. This is my rifle. 

There are many like it, but this one is mine. 

2. My rifle is my best friend. 

It is my life. 

I must master it as I must master my life. 

3. My rifle, without me, is useless. 

Without my rifle, I am useless. 

I must fire my rifle true. 

I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. 

I must shoot him before he shoots me. 

I will. 

4. My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, 

the noise of our burst, 

nor the smoke we make. 

We know that it is the hits that count. 

We will hit. 

5. My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. 

Thus, I will learn it as a brother. 

I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, 

its parts, its accessories, 

its sights and its barrel. 

I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage 

as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. 

I will keep my rifle clean and ready. 

We will become part of each other. 

We will. 

6. Before God, I swear this creed. 

My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. 

We are the masters of our enemy. 

We are the saviors of my life. 

7. So be it, 

until victory is America's and there is no enemy, 

but peace!!

3rd Marine Amphibious

3rd Marine Division

1st Amtrac Battalion

Combat Ribbon

Togetherweserved link

Find Marine PFC R Rich on the Vietnam Memorial Wall

 Panel 13E, Line 93

Read more about the battle for freedom

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