2LT RICHARD LANE COTTER

RICHARD LANE COTTER

JOHN O'DONNELL
MARINE VET
HONORING A BRAVE MARINE HERO
THIS MAN HAS GIVEN OF HIMSELF EVERTHING HE COULD, SO THAT HIS BROTHER MARINES AND THE PEOPLE BACK HOME COULD LIVE A MORE PEACEFUL LIFE. THIS GIFT OF HIS LIFE SHOWS THE GREATNESS OF THIS HERO. HERO'S DON'T WEAR A CAPE OR MASK NO! THEY WEAR MARINE GREEN.HERO'S COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPE'S AND SIZE'S. AS EACH DAY PASSES,WE MUST TAKE THE TIME TO REMEMBER WHAT THIS HERO GAVE UP! SO THAT WE COULD LIVE IN A FREE SOCIETY. THANK YOU ! SEMPER FI! HERO YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. YOU HAVE EARNED THE TITTLE OF U.S. MARINE! A NATION CRIES OUT FOR THE LOSS OF ONE OF ITS ITS SON'S. LIEUTENANT I SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE, HONOR AND VALOR
Mar 31, 2014

Silver Star Citation
Silver Star Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Richard Lane Cotter (MCSN: 0-105059), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Headquarters and Service Company, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 February 1969, upon learning that a Marine patrol was engaged with a large enemy force near Dai Do in Quang Tri Province and had sustained several casualties, Second Lieutenant Cotter quickly organized a reacting force and set out aboard a tracked vehicle to aid the beleaguered Marines. When his vehicle became immobilized in the difficult terrain, he debarked and, proceeding on foot, skillfully maneuvered his men to the designated area. Quickly assessing the situation, Second Lieutenant Cotter deployed his unit into defensive positions, requested a medical evacuation helicopter, and directed the evacuation of the wounded. Then, moving from one position to another, he rallied his Marines and launched an aggressive assault against the enemy. During the ensuing fire fight, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety to pinpoint hostile positions and direct the fire of his men. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him and shouting words of encouragement, Second Lieutenant Cotter continued his aggressive attack and was boldly advancing across the fire-swept terrain when he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Cotter upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Action Date: 10-Feb-69 Service: Marine Corps Rank: Second Lieutenant Company: Headquarters and Service Company Battalion: 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
Feb 10, 2012

j d
Forty years this week
2nd, Lt: This week, is forty, years, since you gave all, for our country and our Corps. Someday, we will meet in Heaven, with its streets guarded, by United States Marines. You, are in the company, of many forgotten heroes. Thanks, for the note, by your classmates, from the basic school and a platoon member. The history of events, needs, to be added, to more sites, by men who, were, with the deceased. With great respect and admiration, from those who returned home, to those, who did not: Semper Fi!!
Feb 9, 2009

Fellow Marine
Well done Sir rest in peace
THE TIME you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields where glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl’s.
A.E. Housman, "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (REN)
Semper Fi!
Feb 10, 2008

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. “He which hath no stomach, to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless you, for your Sacrifice!!!
Feb 10, 2007

Marine classmates, TBS., Golf, Company, Class, 7-68.
2LT., RICHARD LANE COTTER died, on the 10th, of February 1969, By fellow student, TBS., Golf, Company, Class, 7-68. Rick Cotter was killed, in action in February, 1969, near the Cua Viet, River, in Vietnam. Rick was a platoon commander, for an amphibious, vehicle platoon, which operated on and near, the Cua Viet River, near the South, China Sea. Rick died, leading his troops into battle, against a force of NVA., who had ambushed, one, of his night patrols. An RPG., hit him, in the face. Rick, was only 23, when he died. On a couple of occasions, Rick mentioned, that he would not be returning, from Vietnam. There was, no question in his mind, about this. I did not understand this, but I knew, he was absolutely honest and not one, to look for sympathy, or attention. Rick and I flew to Okinawa, en-route, to Vietnam. When we got to Okinawa, we had the option of staying there, for a few weeks, or going immediately, to Vietnam. I wanted to stay in Okinawa, but Rick said he was going, immediately and I, followed his lead. When we got to Vietnam, we were both assigned, infantry platoons for three months, with the 9th, Marines. We spent a short time waiting, for our assignment, to platoons. One night we shared a pup tent, near the battalion perimeter and there was a foxhole, in front, of it. During the night, the NVA., were probing, the perimeter and there was some, small arms fire. I jumped, into the foxhole and called for Rick. Rick said he was comfortable, in the pup tent and not to bother him, as he wanted to sleep. I only saw Rick once, after our assignment to the 1st, Amtrak Battalion. He was, confident and self-assured. He knew, what he was doing. It was clear, that he was liked and respected, by his men. It was only a week, or so later, when he was killed, in action. I heard parts of the firefight, on our company radio. Rick called, for artillery support and when it did not come fast enough, he got angry with the HQ., staff and demanded immediate support, for his troops. When I heard, that Rick had been killed, I went to an empty bunker and wept. His premonition, of dying in Vietnam, had been accurate. Lt., Cotter, was remembered, by his TBS., classmates, at their reunion (http://www.geocities.com/golf768reunion/
Tuesday, February 10, 2004

J Young
jjyou@comcast.net
Platoon member
Was member, of Lt., Cotter's platoon and very near, to ambush sight, on February 10, 1969. Personal friends and family may email me, if they wish. He was well liked, respected and was, a real hero.
Friday, March 26, 2004