SPAULDING, RICHARD
RIP 11/17/2010
| Name: Richard Spaulding Rank/Branch: Civilian Unit: Pacific Archetiechs and Engineers, Phu Bi Date of Birth: 18 October 1936 (Enid OK) Home City of Record: Date of Loss: 01 February 1968 [31 January 68 according to Mr. Spaulding] Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 163300N 1073000E Status (in 1973): Originally reported MIA - when Marj. Nelson was released, she reported Spaulding as held captive in the same camp. -- Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground |
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Other Personnel in Incident: Gostas, Theodore USA (released); Henderson,
Alexander CIV (released); Meyer, Lewis CIV (released); Olsen, Robert CIV, in
charge of telegraph, (Released); Page, Russell CIV, in charge of motor pool
(Released); Rander, Donald USA (Released); Rushton, Thomas CIV (Released);
Daves, Gary CIV (Released); Stark, Lawrence CIV attached to USN (Released);
Willis, Charles CIV (Released).
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK 14 February 1997 from one or more of the
following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources and information
provided by Ret. Major Gostas and Lawrence Stark. 2023
REMARKS: 730316 Released by PRG
SYNOPSIS:
Spaulding was working in the northern part of South Vietnam during TET '68
when Hue came under seige. Ret. Major Ted Gostas (135th MIBN PROV) recalls
being trapped without his radio in the city, and being unable to warn
hundreds of 5th Marines as they walked into an ambush and their death.
Government records indicate Spaulding and 11 others were captured soon
afterward. Ten of those were civilians working with the Vietnamese.
Richard Spaulding was held captive for 5 years 1 month and 17 days prior to
his release on March 16, 1973. Much of his time was spent with other
civilian prisoners, including German missionaries Bernhard Diehl and Monika
Schwinn.
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Spaulding spend 2 years in the Army before returning to Vietnam as a
civilian before his 5 + years in captivity. He retired, residing
in Oklahoma near his daughter until his passing
| SPAULDING, RICHARD H | ||
| SP5 US ARMY | ||
| VIETNAM | ||
| DATE OF BIRTH: 10/18/1936 | ||
| DATE OF DEATH: 11/17/2010 | ||
| BURIED AT: | ||
| ISABELLA CEMETERY | ||
| ISABELLA, OK 73747 | ||
