173d Image of the Month - Corregidor

Lonny Lawrence Stewart, B/2/503
Bruce Wayne Tabor, “Doc”, HHC/1/50
“I remember most your humor, your vulnerability, your
niceness. I wish I'd known enough to be afraid when
you went to war, enough to realize how afraid you
must have been, though you volunteered to go.”
Robin Rodriguez
He is my cousin and friend
Donald Giles Waide, 74/LRRP
“Don and I served together in the 173rd Airborne
Brigade's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Platoon
from the summer of 1967 to April of 1968. Don and I
had been assigned to the Military Police Platoon of the
173rd Airborne Brigade prior to volunteering for the
LRRP's. I was accepted into the LRRP Platoon in late
June of 1967 and Don followed shortly thereafter. A
total of five of us from the Military Police Platoon went
to the LRRP's and three were subsequently killed in
action. Don was an extremely close friend of mine; I
served as his Assistant Team Leader for his team from
December 1967 until I returned home in April of 1968.
Don was an excellent Team Leader who possessed all
the necessary skills to conduct the extremely
dangerous long range reconnaissance patrols and
return his team safely. He was aggressive in his
patrols, yet he had the leadership qualities that
instilled confidence in the patrol members. Don
appeared totally at ease in the jungle environment,
and always maintained a calming presence in tough
situations. I never questioned his decisions or abilities.
I left the LRRP Platoon in early April of 1968, returning
home after a 3 year tour of duty with the Army. Don
was looking forward to returning home within a few
months after that, and the last letter I received from
him before his death reflected his desires to return
home. I was devastated to receive word from fellow
platoon members that Don was killed in action on May
7, 1968. I still have guilt feelings that if I had still been
with him this would not have happened. I think about
him and the other members of the platoon who gave
their lives often, and whenever I am in Washington,
D.C., I visit the memorial with their names. Don and I
had planned to keep in touch after Vietnam, and I
know that would have happened. He was a friend and
fellow warrior I cannot forget. I have numerous
photographs of Don from our days together, and I still
enjoy the memories, good and bad. I was never able
to contact Don's family and express my sorrow, nor
attend his funeral, but Don will always be in my
memories.”
Irvin W. Moran, Midlothian, Virginia
Frank Wright Webb, B/2/503, A/1/50*
“I had the honor of meeting Frank at Officer Candidate
School, Ft Benning, GA. Platoon members were
determined by alphabetical order and with the first
initial of our last names, T & W, we were lumped
together into the 6th Platoon. I remember Frank as
being a very easy person to be friends with.
After six months of OCS we were both transferred to
Ft. Hood, TX in our time of readiness prior to going to
Vietnam. We spent another four months hanging out
at the Officer's Club pool and looking for trouble every
party night. After we shipped off to Vietnam I didn't
see Frank again. I remember the day that I heard
about Frank's death. I was in the 198th Brigade
Command Center and a friend radioed and relayed the
terrible news. It is my understanding that he was
killed by a sniper, after a very long hard 3 day battle.
My best wishes to his family and all those whose life
he touched. He was ‘One Great Guy’ and is missed by
all that knew him.”
Chris Taylor, We served together
Richard Foy Wells, B/2/503, A/1/50*
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / May 2013 – Issue 53
Page 42 of 74