Allen Tucker
eagleonerecon@yahoo.com
In-country Udorn RTAFB-USAF
P.O. Box 563 Apple Valley CA 92307 USA
'So Others May Live-We Do Not Forget'
Lt. Richard Van de Geer,
As Memorial Day 2013 approaches know that we have not forgotten you and those who gave so much. Being part of a special group who understood what each mission would involve, each flight, the personal sacrifices few understand, for a brother reaching out for help in a distant land.
You have gone above and beyond the call of duty for your fellow brothers. This day like all that proceeded it, we salute you and your bravery, dedication and self sacrifice for others. We 'Do Not Forget nor Will We Ever' those who gave so much 'So Others May Live!' Remembrance is what we have to this day of our losses, rest easy, you will 'Never Be Forgotten' as long as men who wear wings and carry the motto understand. Proud to have served: United States Air Force-Udorn RTAFB-432nd Security Police Squadron-Tiger Flight-Bravo Sector and 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron-Detachment 5- Night Reconnaissance. Call sign: Eagle One 1974-1975.
May 24, 2013 |
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Josh Wells
Not forgotten
Lt, There are no words to describe how I feel. You are missed by your friends and countrymen. You died protecting those that you swore to protect and your brothers in arms.
Saying thank you just doesn't say enough.
Oct 23, 2011 |
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Isidro Cruz
manders2@aisd.net
Mr. Anderson's History Student
Arlington TX 76010 United States
My Adopted MIA
Second Lieutenant Richard Van De Geer, My name is Isidro Cruz. I'm a 2010 Junior at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, TX. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of you sacrifice and will remember you.
May 24, 2010 |
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Roy Spencer
Vietnam Veteran-Air Force Pilot
Lest We Forget Their Heroic Mission
When U.S. troops were pulled out of Southeast Asia in early 1975, Vietnamese communist troops began capturing one city after another, with Hue, Da Nang and Ban Me Thuot in March, Xuan Loc in April, and finally on April 30, Saigon. 2Lt. Richard Van de Geer, assigned to the 21st Special Ops Squadron at NKP, had participated in the evacuation of Saigon, where helicopter pilots were required to fly from the decks of the 7th Fleet carriers stationed some 500 miles offshore, fly over armed enemy-held territory, collect American and allied personnel and return to the carriers via the same hazardous route, heavily loaded with passengers. Van de Geer wrote to a friend, 'We pulled out close to 2,000 people. We couldn't pull out any more because it was beyond human endurance to go any more...'
At 11:21 a.m. on May 12, the U.S. merchant ship MAYAGUEZ was seized by the Khmer Rouge in the Gulf of Siam about 60 miles from the Cambodian coastline
and eight miles from Poulo Wai island. The thirty-nine seamen aboard were taken prisoner. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated. One of the rescue aircraft, a CH53A helicopter flown by U.S. Air Force Major Howard Corson and 2Lt. Richard Van de Geer, carrying 23 U.S. Marines and 2 U.S. Navy corpsmen, all from the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were on a rescue mission. As the helicopter approached the island, it was caught in a cross fire and hit by a rocket. The severely damaged helicopter crashed into the sea just off the coast of the island and exploded. To avoid enemy fire, survivors were forced to swim out to sea for rescue. Twelve aboard, including Maj. Corson, were rescued. Those missing from the helicopter were 2Lt. Richard Van de Geer, PFC Daniel A. Benedett, PFC Lynn Blessing, PFC Walter Boyd, Lcpl. Gregory S.
Copenhaver, Lcpl. Andres Garcia, PFC James J. Jacques, PFC James R. Maxwell, PFC Richard W. Rivenburgh, PFC Antonio R. Sandoval, PFC Kelton R. Turner, all U.S. Marines. Also missing were HM1 Bernard Gause, Jr. and HM Ronald J. Manning, the two corpsmen. Vandegeer was listed as missing in action. On October 27, 2000 Vandegeer, a true American hero was finally buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
May 17, 2010 |
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Malcolm Kirby
mlkdrk@earthliink.net
USAF Veteran - 191st photo recon.
Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 785
Rest in Peace, my Brother. YOu will not be forgotten...
Jan 11, 2009 |
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Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ Rest In Peace, Young Hero ~
In Tribute to 2LT Richard Vandegeer, with So Much Gratitude for his Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest well and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of such a young hero, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam 1967....."NOR SHALL YOUR GLORY BE FORGOT, WHILE FAME HER RECORD KEEPS, OR HONOR POINTS TO THE HALLOWED SPOT, WHERE VALOR PROUDLY SLEEPS" ~ Theodore O'Hara ~
Mar 6, 2008 |
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Jim Sawmiller
ejsjessejames @bright.net
402 Ashland Ave B-2 Wapakoneta Ohio 45895
You arenot Forgotten
You have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. If any Family member, or Friends of Richards reads this. I am looking for a picture of him. To put on our Ohio POW-MIA VN Memorial Wall, plus our web site. You are in our Prayers. God Bless you, and your Family.
Sep 1, 2007 |
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Bill Gallenstein
USAF Veteran
Zephyrhills FL 33541 USA
A very proud cold war USAF veteran remembers you on this day. My God bless you and your family always. I salute you, Thank you
Apr 3, 2007 |
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Jerry Stabler
Fellow Veteran
MSGT USMC Retired
Richard, although I never had the honor to meet you in person I have had the privelege of knowing your mother, prior to her leaving us to join you, as well as your father, whom I have the utmost respect for and also your sister whom I consider to be one of my closest friends. Having known these people has given me some insight as to who you are and I can only say; I salute you sir, for everthing that you did, for all that you were, and more importantly, for all that you are. Take good care of your mom Lieutenant. Simper Fi
Nov 26, 2006 |
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