RICHARD OLSON KILLED IN COPTER CRASH IN VIETNAM

REMEMBER THE FALLEN

......................RICHARD OLSON KILLED IN COPTER CRASH IN VIETNAM
......................By Bob Lessard
......................Historian Post 64 American Legion

.......(Periodically, the Gazette will publish biographical sketches of Middleboro’s war casualties. This is intended to remember the sacrifices of all veterans and those who gave their lives to our country. A slogan which truly reflects thoughts about veterans states: “All gave some, but some gave all.”)

......Richard Olson, 19, was born in Middleboro on September 30, 1949, a United States Army regular, SP-4 (E-4) was killed during a combat operation. He was serving as a helicopter door gunner when the aircraft crashed and burned on December 18, 1968. He died as a result of wounds from the incident, which occurred in Bing Duong Province, South Vietnam.

......His mother, Mrs. Raymond Stairs of Plymouth Street, was notified of her son’s death by telegram. SP-4 Olson, son of Mrs. Stairs and Lawrence Olson, was living with his father in Marshfield prior to enlisting. (Note: Information from the Vietnam Wall lists Dorchester as home.) Known by his nickname “Dicky,” he was killed while into his second tour of duty in Vietnam.

......He was serving with the 1st Aviation Brigade, 173rd Attack Helicopter Company at the time of his death. This unit was known as the “Robin Hoods.” There is a tribute memorial website dedicated to the members of the 173rd and it includes Olson’s name.

......A photo taken in 1967 at Fort Lewis in Washington shows Olson posing in uniform with his Private First Class stripe. That picture was used in the Middleboro Gazette news story reporting his death.

......Educated in the Middleboro school system, “Dicky” was an active member in the local YMCA. His mother, Jayne, has a keepsake photo showing “Dicky” playing the guitar, while serving in Vietnam. On the back of the picture he wrote these words, “The poor boy in South Vietnam.” That picture was printed in the Middleboro Gazette.

......Survivors include his parents, a brother David, who was, at the time, serving in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps; two sisters, Deborah and Barbara of Middleboro. Also, his maternal grandparents Mrs. Anne Gardner of Middleboro and Edward Norris of Squantum, and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Myra Olson of this town.

......Richard “Dicky” Olson is remembered by his name’s posting on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. on panel 36W-Line 41.

......Here in Middleboro, Olson is recognized at the Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park, where his name is inscribed on the dedicated Vietnam War stone and map. Also, the Central Casualty stone carries his name on the Vietnam list.

......Last Thursday, July 20, family members and friends held a special ceremony at Middleboro’s Veterans Memorial Park to dedicate a brick in Richard Olson’s name. It was the third brick purchased in his memory.