Rickey Dean Garner

The database page for Rickey Dean Garner

30 Sep 2005 I met Rickey in Okinawa, where we joined 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battallion, 1st Marines. We were "new guys". Rickey was very cocky, aggressive and thought he knew everything in life - "seen that, done that". But he was only 18 years old. So young, yet so brave. We had some good discussions on the USS PAUL REVERE on our way down south. We were both Texans in a strange land. We made the beach landing in January '66. Participated in Operation Double Eagle I and II. On our third operation, OPERATION UTAH, Rickey met his fate. He was the type that would go all out and on that day he did. We lost many Good Men on that day. I believe Rickey was awarded the Bronze Star or Silver Star for his heoric actions on that day. Our platoon faired much better than most that day. Rickey, may you Rest In Peace. So Long Amigo, Semper Fi, Bro. Arturo Garza sgteseusmc@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 05 March 1966 the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, engaged elements of the 21st NVA Regiment in an 8 hour battle near Chau Ngai. Quoting from the 3/1 Command Chronology for March 1966, the NVA troops "occupied classic defensive positions, were well-armed and equipped, and defended occupied positions in strength." Enemy resistance slackened with nightfall and when the Marines began again after daybreak they found the NVA had withdrawn. The position turned out to be an extensive tunnel and underground bunker complex for the NVA 21st Regiment. The operation cost the Marines 42 dead; the NVA left 102 bodies on the field and appeared to have carried as many more with them as they retreated. Lima 3/1 had nine of the Americans killed in the action: SSgt Leonard A. Hultquist, Ogallala, NE Sgt David Shields, Rutherford, NJ Cpl Jimmy P. Sanchez, Los Angeles, CA (Silver Star) LCpl James J. Bradley, New York, NY LCpl Philip Fitch, Cincinnati, OH Pfc Thomas W. Edwards, Binghamton, NY Pfc Rickey D. Garner, Dallas, TX (Silver Star) Pfc Jose E. Laguer, New York, NY Pfc Jerry E. Parks, Grand Rapids, MI

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a brother in arms, Arturo Garza sgteseusmc@yahoo.com 30 Sep 2005

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 10/01/2005