Quite often the solders in Vietnam were viewed differently by their families than the buddies they came to know for the short time there. This may have been the case of Stevie vs Steve for Richard Steven Bovio. It only took 5 years to note his nickname was not Dick, but Steve or Stevie. Hopefully with what we have posted here, a more complete story is provided.

Born in Galveston, he was the son of Richard and Mary Helen (Lewis) Bovio. His father passed away in 1958 and his mother remarried in 1959. His mom, he, his brother Ernest, and sisters Jeananne and Patty continued to be raised in the Galveston Area. The family is still in that area today.

CPT Bovio began his tour in Vietnam on October 13, 1969 after having completed pilot training in the Unites States in 1968. On 20 February 1970, he was severely wounded when he was shot down by enemy fire from the ground. He managed to land the aircraft, saving his crew. He was evacuated to the hospital and died of his wounds on the 27th of February.

CPT Bovio flew many mission hours as evidenced by the Air Medal and 12 Oak Leaf clusters. In addition he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts in landing his disabled helicopter and saving the crew. His mother and wife were presented the medals in a 1970 ceremony.

CPT Richard Steven "Stevie" Bovio was survived by his wife Suzanne Bovio, mother Mary Helen (Lewis) Bovio Giusti (1922- ), father Richard Bovio (1910-1958), stepfather Edward L Giusti (1919-1998), brother Ernest Lewis Bovio (1945-2017). Stevie was buried in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Galveston, Galveston County, Texas along with his father.