A bit of veteran’s history

By Richard L. Graves Sr.
PDC/Adjutant/Historian

Richard D. Melanson of Brownville, a member of Bernard Jones American Legion Post 92 shares some of his military experience having enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 during the Vietnam War-era.

Basic training was at Fort Dix in New Jersey, then on to Gordon Signal School in Georgia for training in helicopter radio and communications with advanced Huey instrument repair at Fort Benning, Georgia. Melanson then volunteered for duty in Vietnam and was assigned to the 279th Signal Corp with a detachment to the 48th Assault Helicopter Co. After a 30-day leave he was flown into Vietnam and joined the detachment at Ninh Hoa District in South Central Coast of Vietnam in October 1967.

On Oct. 29 the military complex was received six mortars from the enemy and they landed where the Korean detachment was located causing casualties to nine and one fatality. Melanson was not aware of the mortar results other than knowing that they landed somewhere in the complex.

Nov. 6, 1967 Typhoon Freda came ashore, the aircraft had been moved inland but the personnel remained in what they called tent city. The typhoon took a toll on the tent city, equipment and personal gear. Ninh Hoa is right on the coast at the intersections of Rte. 1 and Rte. 21.

Jan. 1 the Tet Offensive took place throughout the country. The 48 th Helicopter Co. was on alert and Melanson was part of a reactionary force, however they did not receive any attacks.

There were little call for Melanson’s instrument skills so he volunteered for flight duty filling in as a Huey door gunner in the 48 th Snoopy Platoon. They flew equipment, supplies and personnel to and from remote sites and outposts. Flight duty increased his pay while increasing the risk, however he came out of Vietnam in October 1968 without injury and was discharged from active duty with three years total service.