Those gone but not forgotten

This page is dedicated to the memory of our deceased MRFA members

Our prayers and best wishes go out to those left behind. The Brothers and Sisters of the Mobile Riverine Force Association wish the departed fair winds and following seas and our thoughts will always be with you….

TAPS Tribute to a Fallen One

A Soldier Died Today

Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
www.vaincourt.homestead.com

Roger Marvin Goff

Roger Marvin Goff passed away on January 22, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in 1967-68.  Roger is survived by his wife Deborah.  They were married for 52 years

Gary B. Kroshus

Former Member Gary B. Kroshus passed away on January 27, 2023 due to an Agent Orange related cancer.  While in Vietnam he served with the 9th Division Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) from April 1967 to April 1968.  Gary is survived by his wife Barbara

Charles Edward Ardinger
 

Plankowner Member BMC Charles Edward Ardinger (USN Ret.) passed away on January 3, 2023. While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 15, River Assault Division 151 as Boat Captain of T-151-11 from May1968 to July 1969. Charles is survived by his wife Georginia of 57 years

James Eugene Meehan

Member James Eugene “Big Jim” Meehan passed away on February 6, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Inshore Underwater Group-1, Unit 4 in Nha Trang from August 1966 to August 1967.  He is survived by his wife Diane.

James Ray Schwan
    

Former Member James Ray “Jim” Schwan passed away on February 9, 2023 following a long bout with Lymphoma.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 15 – River Assault Division 152 in 1969-70.  Jim is survived by his wife Elaine of 51 years.

Gary Lee Forester
   

Gary Lee Forester passed away on February 14, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadrons 13 & 15 – River Assault Divisions 132 & 152 onboard an Assault Support Patrol Boat and Armored Troop Carrier in 1969-1970.  Gary is survived by his daughters, Rhonda “Buffy” Forester and Angela “Missy” Campbell and his son, Johnathan Shane Forester

James Michael Reilly Jr.

Member James Michael Reilly Jr. passed away at home on February 13, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division from July 1968 to July 1969.  James is survived by his wife Raewai.

Lawrence W. Maloney

Member Lawrence W. “Larry” Maloney passed away on March 9, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Division from January to September 1968.  He is survived by his wife Sandra

David W. Raybell

Member David W. Raybell passed away on April 16, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 11 – River Assault Division 111 onboard M-111-3 from November 1966 to February 1968.  Dave is survived by his long time wife Mary

Domenick A. Lombardi

Member Domenick A. Lombardi passed away on April 29, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Artillery, 1st Armored Division from February 1966 to February 1969.  He finished his tour with the Mobile Riverine Force 9th Infantry Division.  Domenick is survived by his wife Susan

Ronnie Ernest Campbell

Former Member Ronnie Ernest Campbell passed away on April 29, 2023 of Pancreatic Cancer.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 9 – River Assault Division 91 onboard T-91-8 from October 1968 to October 1969.  Ronnie is survived by Beverly LaPradd Campbell, his wife of 57 years

Jimmie J. Apel

Member Jimmie J. Apel passed away on January 22, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division from May to September 1969

Jess Loya Jr.

Member Jess Loya Jr. passed away on February 23, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division from January to December 1967

James L. Long Sr.

Member James L. Long Sr. passed away at his home on May 13, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served on Commander River Flotilla One Staff from November 1967 to November 1968.  James was preceded in death by his long time wife Carol

Stanley Loye Willingham

Member Stanley Loye Willingham passed away at his home on June 18, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served onboard the USS Colleton (APB-36) as a Corpsman working with an Army Surgical Team from March 1968 to March 1969.  Stan is survived Paula, his wife of 56 years

Daniel D. Olson

Member Daniel D. Olson passed away on July 7, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served onboard the USS White River (LSMR-536) from 1965-67.  Daniel is survived by his wife Laurel

Mark E. Harris Sr.

Member Mark E. Harris Sr. passed away on April 12, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with the 1097th Transportation Company (Medium Boat) from January 1969 to July 1969

Jackie Wayne Steinman

Member Jackie “Jack” Wayne Steinman passed away on July 18, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division from November 1968 to November 1969.  He is survived by Sandra, his wife of 44 years.  Jack was a highly decorated soldier.  Click HERE to view his Distinguished Service Cross citation.

Donald K. Bullard

Honorary Member Donald K. Bullard (RADM USN Ret.) passed away on July 11, 2023.  During his 39 year Naval career Admiral Bullard became the first Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC).  He was tasked with ramping up the new Riverine Group ONE, which included Riverine Squadrons ONE, TWO and THREE.  The unit would later serve in combat during the Iraq war.  It was the first time that Navy riverine forces had been active since the Vietnam War.  RADM Bullard is survived by, Katherine, his wife of 50 years

James G. Keller Jr.
 

Member James “Jim” G. Keller Jr. passed away on June 10, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 92, River Assault Division 92 onboard T-92-9 and R-92-2 from August 1968 to July 1969.  Jim is survived by his wife Nancy.

James Berry Gautier
   

Member Captain James “Jim” Berry Gautier (USN Ret.) passed away on October 6, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident a month earlier.  While in Vietnam he served as Commanding Officer of River Assault Division 111 from October 1968 to May 1969.  Jim is survived by his wife Ann.

Gordon Bruce Shulze

Former Member Gordon Bruce Shulze passed away on July 1, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served onboard the USS Satyr (ARL-23) from February 1970 to February 1971 as a Radioman.  Bruce was Webmaster of the MRFA website for a few years.  After discharge he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard and later the Army Reserves .  He is survived by Rhonda, his wife of 36 years.

Ralph Howard Bigelow

Member Ralph Howard Bigelow passed away on November 1, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 13, River Assault Division 131 onboard T-131-8 in 1968-69.  Ralph assisted in forming the MRFA with Albert Moore in 1992.  He was a Board Member and an ever present figure at all MRFA reunions.

Gary Antoine Dufrene

Member Gary Antoine Dufrene passed away on November 12, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division with the Mortar Platoon from December 1966 to November 1967.  Gary is survived by his wife Margie.

Philip Edward Deal

Philip Edward Deal passed away on December 28, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in 1966-67.  Philip is survived by Linda, his wife of 55 years.

Robert David Howington

Member Robert David Howington passed away on November 20, 2023 after a battle with cancer.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 9, River Assault Division 92 onboard T-92-3 from February 1967 to February 1968.

George Leo Gude

George Leo Gude passed away on August 21, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served as a CS3 onboard the USS Benewah (APB-35) from 1966 to 1968. – “George was a good man.  He always performed his duties well and with pride.” – Albert Moore – Shipmate

David J. Nowacki

Member David J. Nowacki passed away on June 13, 2023.  While in Vietnam he served with River Assault Squadron 11 – Division 111 from September 1968 to June 1969. David is survived by his wife Sallie.

 

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And ‘tho sometimes, to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened,
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer
For old Bill has passed away,
And the world’s a little poorer,
For a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary
And quite uneventful life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Quietly going his own way,
And the world won’t note his passing,
Though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories,
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
A guy who breaks his promises
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who,
In times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country
And offers up his life?

The politician’s stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps, a pension small.

It’s so easy to forget them
For it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician
With his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier,
Who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country
And would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
Then we find the soldier’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In a paper that would say:
Our Country is in, mourning,
For a soldier died today.