The first appearance of our teammate's name above is a virtual rubbing from the Vietnam Wall Memorial to Americans lost during the Vietnam War.  By virtue of this remarkable tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the names of our fallen teammates will endure far beyond those of us who survived them . . . and we are proud that they will. In service to our country with Special Forces Detachment A-502 in the Republic of Vietnam      Our teammate, Merrill Dale Reich, Jr. was born on July 8, 1944 and joined the Armed Forces while in his home town of Atlanta, Georgia.  He served as a 31542 Officer in the United States Army Special Forces.  In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.      On May 27, 1968, at the age of 23, 1st Lieutenant Reich perished in Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam.  While on temporary training assignment to A-502, he was set up on a night ambush with his unit.  Only hours earlier, Lieutenant Reich had been cautioned about the extreme danger of triggering a night ambush.  However, when he observed an enemy column approaching his unit's position, he disregarded his personal safety and opened fire in defense of his teammates.  Lieutenant Reich was fatally wounded by the enemy's return fire.  As a result of his courageous action, no one else in his unit was killed. You can find Merrill Dale Reich, Jr. honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 65W, Row 14. Our country will never forget . . .