Gary Allen Rathbun

The database page for Gary Allen Rathbun

08 May 2005 Hello, Dear Friend, We think of you so often and miss you. We come here today to pay tribute to you. Our thanks for the great sacrifice you made for all of us is beyond words. Please know we keep you in our hearts and minds, and always will. Memories of you are treasures never to be forgotten. From the boys who served with you in the 42nd IPSD

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 25 May 1967 a patrol from 3rd Plt, C/1/327th Infantry was ambushed. Ten men died: 42nd Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) SGT Gary A. Rathbun, Cosmos, MN (Bronze Star "V") C Co, 1st Bn, 327th Infantry 1LT Benjamin G. Wells, Madison, AL SFC Edward L. Tieman, Carlinville, IL (Silver Star) SSG Alfred G. Kircher, Ozone Park, NY SP4 Leonard A. Enos, Scottsdale, AZ SP4 Joe A. Funk, Wellsburg, WV SP4 Peter J. Gerspach, Eggertsville, NY PFC Alan W. Bonney, Easton, PA PFC Terry A. Harding, Vallejo, CA PFC Edward M. McMullan, New York, NY In addition, Sergeant Rathbun's German shepard was killed in the action, and the dog's body was brought out with the men he served. According to one report, he was killed while mauling an NVA soldier - and had a piece of the soldier in his mouth when he was brought in. Some reports give the dog's name as "Thunder", but the Vietnam Dog Handlers' Association shows only one dog killed on 25 May 1967 - Rex, tag number 8X60.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 8 May 2005
Last updated 11/09/2006