Stevie Ray Gibson
Stevie Ray Gibson was a 17 year old kid from Kentucky when he joined the Army and was assigned to A/2/12 for Basic Training along with the original group in December, 1965. He remained with us through our training and was on our roster as late as July 31st, 1966. At first I thought that Stevie did not deploy with us because he was only 17, but after some research, I found out that he had turned 18 years old on April 23rd, 1966. It may be one of those mysteries we'll never unravel.
Stevie eventually arrived in Vietnam on February 27th, 1967 as a replacement troop for the 1st Cavalry Division in II Corps area. He survived 16 days in country.
We will honor him as a Brother as long as one member of the Association is around to carry on the proud tradition.
The last time I went to the Wall I took a photo of panel 16, showing Thomas Nickerson and Clint Smith's inscription. Little did I know at the time that I also recorded most of Stevie Ray's inscription. His name is just before Thomas Nickerson's. Here is part of that photo.
STEVIE
RAY GIBSON
PFC - E3 - Army -
Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 23, 1948
From ROXANA, KENTUCKY
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Feb 27, 1967
Casualty was on Mar 15, 1967
in BINH THUAN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PRESBYTERIAN
Panel 16E - - Line 84