Subdeacon Joe Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 ‘Killed’ in Vietnam and buried with comrades, one Marine returned from the dead Quote HALLETTSVILLE, Tex. — Ronald L. Ridgeway was “killed” in Vietnam on Feb. 25, 1968. The 18-year-old Marine Corps private first class fell with a bullet to the shoulder during a savage firefight with the enemy outside Khe Sanh. Dozens of Marines, from what came to be called “the ghost patrol,” perished there. At first, Ridgeway was listed as missing in action. Back home in Texas, his old school, Sam Houston High, made an announcement over the intercom. But his mother, Mildred, had a letter from his commanding officer saying there was little hope. And that August, she received a “deeply regret” telegram from the Marines saying he was dead. On Sept. 10, he was buried in a national cemetery in St. Louis. A tombstone bearing his name and the names of eight others missing from the battle was erected over the grave. His mother went home with a folded American flag. But as his comrades and family mourned, Ron Ridgeway sat in harsh North Vietnamese prisons for five years, often in solitary confinement, mentally at war with his captors and fighting for a life that was technically over. Helluva man. Helluva story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Ansd after all that, he got on with his life. Never went psycho. Never shot up a school or robbed a bank. Not a story Hollywood would be intetested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 12 minutes ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Ansd after all that, he got on with his life. Never went psycho. Never shot up a school or robbed a bank. Not a story Hollywood would be intetested in. Yep. Of course, Hollywood would make him into a black, trans, albino lesbian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 10 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Yep. Of course, Hollywood would make him into a black, trans, albino lesbian. Johnny Depp would have the leading role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Loco Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 You guys are funny. There is always hope for a Mel Gibson movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 2 hours ago, Johnny Loco said: You guys are funny. There is always hope for a Mel Gibson movie. But amazingly accurate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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