Rattler/Firebird Association


Richard Wayne McGee

Name Richard Wayne McGee
Rank/Grade CPL - E4 - Army - Regular
Age 19
Marital Status Single
Race Caucasian
Gender Male
Date of Birth May 22, 1947
From Gary, Indiana
Length of Service 2 years
Tour Began Sep 03, 1965
Casualty Date Jul 1, 1966
Location SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile/Non-Hostile   HOSTILE
Classification HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body Recovered Yes
Religion Baptist

Vietnam Memorial

 

 Panel 08E - - Line 116
Richard Wayne McGee

Visitor Comments

Posted by:Linda K Green
Date:Wednesday, February 23, 2005 6:33 PM UTC
Relationship:Sister
From:
Comments:My brother ... my hero ... my friend.
Our beautiful Mother passed away on January 30, 2005 and it brings me immeasurable peace to know that she is now with you and after almost 40 years can hold you in her arms again.
I love you Richard.
Posted by:Edward S. Maryliw
Date:Friday, March 18, 2005 6:43 PM UTC
Relationship:Met in Vietnam 1966, Bien Hoa
From:Greenbush
Comments:Corp. McGee was with the Firebirds. When I came into country he qualified me as door gunner on the slicks. He was a very caring soldier and I will miss him forever.
Posted by:Gary R. Fischer
Date:Saturday, April 2, 2005 3:36 PM UTC
Relationship:none
From:ocala, florida
Comments:Didn't know ya,- wish I had
Posted by:franchot lee
Date:Wednesday, April 20, 2005 2:14 AM UTC
Relationship:squad leader sgt.E5
From:new york
Comments:the finest example of the 25th div.
would put him self above all others.
made my job better.
Posted by:Ron Seabolt
Date:Friday, May 20, 2005 12:32 AM UTC
Relationship:Brothers Forever
From:Terrell
Comments:Richard McGee died 3 months before I got to our unit. I did not know him then, but feel as if I know him well now. I have heard nothing but kind words about him and his story in our May 2005 newsletter. Our thanks to Richard's sister, Linda Green, for sharing very personal memories of her hero and making Richard a "real" person to the men that never knew him. RIP!
Posted by:Dennis C Eichler
Date:Sunday, June 12, 2005 3:41 AM UTC
Relationship:Friend
From:Chicago
Comments:I served with Richard McGee in Hawaii with the 25th Division. I arrived in Hawaii in January of 1965. I know our enlistment dates were within months of each other. I lied about my age and joined the Army at 16 years old, in September 1964. Richard wasn't much older. We were actually in the same squad. (1st squad) Company A 2nd Battalion 35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade. I signed up for the same Shotgun program Richard was in, but I was not accepted. Richard left for Vietnam around September 1965. We later deployed to Vietnam and were stationed at Pleiku. I heard but could not verify, that when Richard's tour with the Shotgun program was over, he could have returned to our company, A-2-35, but chose to stay with his Door Gunner company. In June of 1966, I was wounded seriously enough to get out of the Nam and to Japan. June, July and August 1966 were bad months for our company. We had many casualties and Richard knew many of them since he had served with us in Hawaii. It was in Japan that I learned of Richards death through the Stars and Stripes. I was very saddened. Richard was top notch. I respected him very much as a person and as a soldier. He was so young and so brave. Before he left Hawaii for the Nam, he gave me one of his well tailored fatigue shirts which I wore until I was discharged in September 1967. His uniforms were always tailored and his appearance encouraged me to emulate his style. If you look at the photo of Richard on this post, you will see that he is wearing the 1st issue Vietnam fatigue shirt. The one were the buttons show through the pocket flaps. I have a photo of myself wearing the shirt that Richard gave me. It too, was the old style. I was lucky to survive the Nam. Richard died a hero, doing what he was truly meant to be.....A Door Gunner. I know he was brave on every mission he went on. The job of a Door Gunner is not for those who are afraid. Door Gunners are special and I always repected and admired them when I flew on Choppers and I thought of Richard when I looked at the face of each Door Gunner. I wish I could have seen him in the Nam. God Bless Richard and his family. He was one of a kind and is remembered by many. It's hard to believe that so many years have passed. I'm retired now from the Chicago Police Department after over 33 years of service
Posted by:Linda K Green
Date:Friday, July 1, 2005 12:09 PM UTC
Relationship:Sister
From:
Comments:39 years ago today.
It's been a lifetime since we lost you but I can still close my eyes and see your smile and hear your laughter.
I miss you. I will forever.
Posted by:Freddy Dutton
Date:Tuesday, September 27, 2005 2:35 AM UTC
Relationship:Best Army Friend
From:Columbus
Comments:I served with Richard McGee in Hawaii. We volunteered for Door Gunners in Vietnam and went there and served together. He slept on the top bunk and I slept on the bottom bunk. We usually flew together everyday. I have tried to contact his family for nearly 40 years. If anyone remembers me, please contact me.
Posted by:Linda K Green
Date:Thursday, April 27, 2006 2:22 PM UTC
Relationship:Sister
From:
Comments:I met them Richard ... the men who call you 'brother'. They loved you then and, just like me, they always will.
You were, you are and you will forever be my hero.
"You are the wind beneath my wings".
Posted by:Linda K. Green
Date:Sunday, April 8, 2007 3:12 AM UTC
Relationship:Sister
From:
Comments:Yesterday at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas our big brother Gene was laid to rest with military honors.
You always wanted to be just like him and he was the reason you joined the Army. Now the two of you are in heaven together. Forever.
I miss you and love you both but I will see you again ... someday.
P.S. Gene's a little older than he was the last time you saw him but I know you'll recognize him. He's wearing my Rattler-Firebird Vietnam bracelet.
Posted by:fred smith
Date:Monday, March 28, 2016 12:44 AM UTC
Relationship:firebird crewchief 65-66
From:rochelle illinois
Comments:Richard was my gunner on numerous missions, was a very good soldier
Posted by:Richard DeGroot
Date:Sunday, January 22, 2017 4:03 AM UTC
Relationship:
From:Union Grove
Comments:I remember Richard from our service in Hawaii we volunteered to go to Viet nam at the same fine. Proud to be friends with him. He was liked very much. Rest in peace my friend
Posted by:Linda Green
Date:Wednesday, October 11, 2017 1:40 PM UTC
Relationship:Sister
From:Raleigh NC
Comments:Joe went to sleep on Monday, October 9, and woke up in Heaven with you, Richard.
I have no more brothers here on Earth but I know that the three of you are together forever and that makes the emptiness a little easier to bear.

 

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