Operation ID

By Robert Simpson

A Search for the families of "Our Fallen Comrades"

"Our Fallen Comrades!" What a broad title for a group of so valiant soldiers - LRRPslRangers, each and every one of them, who unselfishly gave it their all. Our fallen comrades started out as members of our teams, fellow hooch-mates; however, as time went on, they grew to be a part of us. Together we shared the good times and the bad; we shared times of laughter and tears. They, like us today, lived far away, so far away from that war and country which brought us together for a short slice of time in our lives and history. And now.. .we should try to make contact with their families and tell them just how much they meant to us. No one can replace the thoughts that remind us of them...they were all very special in their own way. As association members, we should also make every effort possible to bind the ties anew which that war has broken, and gather the remnants of our scattered family members.

Call it closure if you will or call it a healing process; regardless, this effort should prove to be a rewarding experience, both for those who were left behind when they lost that son, brother or father, and for us, who lost our teammate(s), and or, buddy(ies). We should include their family members on our mailing list, invite them to our reunions and share our special memories with them.

However, I need assistance in this project - I need your input and help. I ask that you review the list of our fallen comrades and remember what you can about them; where they were from and what you can about their family members. Did they have a brother/sister; who was their dad/mom - where did they live? Any scrap of information could prove to be of aid in this search. Pull out those old photos; remember who was their friend back then on the sands of Chu Lai, or... who was it that they talked to about home. Don't sell your information short, your thoughts and remembrances may be the key needed to reach that lost family member. Like the wagon wheel with its many spokes that connect to a hub - here, in this situation, your information could be the spoke that will connect to the hub and serve to bring us together as a LRRP/Ranger family.

Click here for the listing of our fallen comrades. All are listed by name, unit designation at the time of KIA, home of record (HOR) and date of their MA status. Information on our wall has been cross-referenced with the Vietnam Memorial search engine. If you have any information at all, please contact me at: rsim023@aol.com or at (252) 589-2629. In advance, thanks for your time and assistance.

Note: The Danny McLaughlin and Robert Pruden families are in contact with us. In fact, Dave McLaughlin and his wife were at our last reunion. Dave proudly served with us in 1967-68; and I might add, with distinction and valor as a LRRP. Both Sandy and Larry Pruden (Bob's brother) are planning on traveling to the first ever Pruden Ranger Competition to be held in Germany, February 2001.

*1. The Vietnam Memorial search engine lists a Hernandez, Raymond R. vs. our Raymond S. Hernandez. The date of KIA status for Hernandez Raymond R., on the wall, is 10/06/68 and the unit was the 11th Bde. Remember that when we were a non-divisional unit with the Americal Division, deaths were reported with a particular Bde's area of operation. Eg: if up north then with the 196th LIB, central, then with the 198th LIB and when south, the 11th LIB - so the unit designation may not be of issue in this case. I need help here!

*2. We have a Brooks, Steven H. listed on our wall - the VN Memorial Wall has a Brooks, Steven K. (1Lt); same fellow??? The Brooks on the VN wall gives a HOR of Dade City, FL, can any one confirm that this is indeed our man, and if so, was that was his place of residence? Need some more help here!