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| GUARDING THE GATES |
| NEVER FORGOTTEN |
| Gary Lemonds Army Ranger / ALR Director / Friend Submitted by his friend Al Burns ALR Post 233, Loganville, GA STAFF SERGEANT GARY LEMONDS 1947-2009 Staff Sergeant Gary L. Lemonds is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Lemonds distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the 9th and 10th of April 1969 while serving as team leader during an ambush patrol maneuver. When an enemy force launched a massive attack Sergeant Lemonds led his men in an assault on the enemy emplacements. He single-handedly charged a bunker and destroyed it with grenades. Sighting another fortification, he crawled through the fierce enemy fire and silenced it with his rifle. After eliminating the hostile entrenchment system, he continued his patrol mission. On the 10th of April his patrol was attacked a second time. From his patrol position in a bomb crater, he called in artillery and air support on the large enemy element. When withdrawing his troops to a nearby landing zone for evacuation, he came under sniper fire from two North Vietnamese soldiers, whom he quickly eliminated with a well thrown grenade. Intense enemy fire thwarted the ex-traction aircraft's first landing attempt. He then directed a gun ship on the enemy location and effected a successful extraction. Staff Sergeant Lemonds' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Rangers, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!! He was deployed and assigned to Co.F,75th Rangers/Airborne, Cuchii Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V, Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross, and three Purple Hearts, not for being better than other soldiers, but as a leader, he put his life on the line, so that his men could come home alive, and they did. Gary was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning Ga.. He has also been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is still pending. |
| Don June Richards United States Army Submitted by his Cousin Jack Franklin ALR Post 167, Chatsworth, Ga. PFC DON JUNE RICHARDS 1957-1966 Don was my 1st cousin, more like my brother than a cousin. He was from Ringgold, Catoosa Co. GA, and was the 1st Casualty of that county of the war. Don was not a hero per se, just a young military minded pfc of the Big Red 1. His Grandfather was a bugler in WWI with the AEF and survived. His father "June" was disabled by enemy action in the pacific in WWII, One of his uncles was KIA in Germany in WWII, another uncle served in the Navy in Korea, a third uncle served and retired after service in Korea and Vietnam in both the Navy and Air Force. The entire family were Patriots. Don was KIA 21 May 1966, and he is still 19 years old today. He is honored on the "Wall" Panel 7E Row 98. |
| Harry P. Burton United States Army Submitted by his Sister Lisa D. Collins ALR Post 178, Augusta, Georgia He was my brother who lost his life at Tay NINH it was his third tour of duty. He left this life as a SFC with numerous honors. But his greatest honor was giving his life for this country. I also joined the military I remember him every day of my life. You will find his name on Panel 27W Row 71 |