As we commemorate this Memorial Day, the date is
particularly meaningful for the families of three American servicemen who died
in Vietnam 50 years ago, May 25, 1965. They are:
- Master Sergeant Maurice Mosher, 37, Glen Lyon, PA, married with three children, buried at Arlington. He also served in WWII and Korea.
- Specialist Fifth Class Lynn Peters, 26, Linn, WV, married with one child, buried at Rock Grove Cemetery, Gilmer, WV.
- Staff Sergeant Raymond Vrba Jr., 22, Waco, TX, married, son born after he died, buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.
Each of these men is remembered in messages posted by family members on “virtual
walls” online.
Master Sergeant Mosher’s daughter posted a message in 2004
seeking soldiers who served with her father, to learn more about his
service. She wrote, “I was 11 years old when my dad
died. I now have three sons, the youngest of which is almost eleven now, and
they yearn for some connection to their grandfather, the hero, that they never
met.”
Specialist Peter’s brother posted this message in 2003: “Lynn was a loving brother from a large
family in WV. He loved his wife and daughter and family and everyone else that
he ever met...loved to play music...he is dearly missed by his entire
family....his daughter never got to know him....but from what we have told
her...she knows that he loved her deeply...taken away so young to meet God. Brother,
I hope mom and dad have both found you by now...as I am sure they have. Your
loving brother, Joe.”
Sergeant Vrba had a son born shortly after he died. The son’s
wife posted this message in 2013: “I think of you often. I never got to meet
you. I cry sometimes for my husband, your son Raymond. You never got to see
him, but I do know you loved him. He never got to know you. You died 1 week
before he was born. I know you are proud of the man he has become. I thank you
for him. We tell our daughter Alexis about you all the time. You are our hero.
Thank you for the sacrifices you made. You are always remembered and loved. We
will all see you again!”
Vrba was friends with Sergeant Barry Sadler, famous for his 1966 “Ballad
of the Green Berets.” Sadler mentions Vrba in his book “I’m a Lucky One,” and the
song of the same name.
Our country can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe to
families like these.
I was a Military Intelligence Agent working with Chief Warrant Officer Raymond Vrba Sr, in Naples, Italy, when Ray leaned of his son's death. He was so proud of his boy and was brought to tears each time he heard Sadler's ballad. Rest in peace father and son, both heroes. And may the Lord look after Junior's son. He comes from great stock and should be proud of his forebears.
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