Richard Michael Banaszynski

The database page for Richard Michael Banaszynski

30 Apr 2004 He was my first friend, my best friend. Friends from the time we were five. He was proud of what he did. I came home, he didn't. I'm proud of what he did, and I miss him a lot.

A Note from The Virtual Wall SP4 Richard Banaszynski was a scout dog handler. While the Vietnam Dog Handlers' Association site indicates SP4 Banaszynski was assigned to the 59th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), Americal Division, official casualty records state that he was assigned to the 34th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), 1st Cavalry Division, at the time of his death. The VDHA has separate memorials for the handlers and for the dogs. SP4 Banaszynski is listed on the site with a casualty date of 25 Oct 1968, as expected, and in the "Canines Killed in Action" listing one finds the entry "10/25/1968 SARGENT BILCO". While The Virtual Wall cannot say for certain, it appears likely that handler SP4 Banaszynski and his dog Sargent Bilco died together in Thua Thien Province.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org 30 Apr 2004

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 05/01/2004