Richard Max Pearl Memorial Page
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Wall Rubbing courtesy of The Virtual Wall
RICHARD MAX PEARL was born on May 12, 1938 and joined the Armed Forces while in LORAIN, OH. On July 21, 1970, at the age of 32, RICHARD MAX PEARL perished in the service of our country at Phan Rang AB, Republic of Vietnam while assigned to the 1882nd Communications Squadron You can find RICHARD MAX PEARL honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 8W, Row 39.
Sgt Richard Max Pearl, 1882d Communications Squadron, Phan Rang AB, S. Vietnam, died from shrapnel wounds received during an enemy rocket attack on the base, 21 July 1970. He was on-duty, had been in Southeast Asia for 11 3/4 months, and was 32 years old. AFSC: 36150. - AFCA history office
Memorial Service Program Courtesy of Ronald Dupre
That morning, we were shaving together in the latrine. I was kidding him about how short he was as he only had a few more days left incountry. A few hours later, I was in my office at the Red Rocket when I heard and felt the incredible blast that took Pearl's life. Shrapnel from the rocket penetrated into the revetments surrounding the Red Rocket as well as the BX. Later, I was amazed by how small the crater actually was. It was only about the size of half a soccer ball in breath and depth. That was some hard dirt. It took months for the crater to fill in again. I and many other guys working at the comm center walked by it everyday and thought of him. - Ronald Dupre
Sgt Pearl was our only antenna specialist and a good one too. I'm told he was killed in July 1970 near the BX on his way to the Comm Bldg clearing the base to come home. A damn shame. - Chief Bill Bethea
Sgt Pearl was leaving the BX with his new suitcase, a day or two before rotating and took a direct hit from a rocket or mortar. The explosion blew out one side of the BX wall. - John McCormack
I went to school with Richard. He was perhaps the most positive person I have ever known. We lost touch after HS graduation. He lived right across the street from Irving, Jr. High School and we would sometimes eat lunch at his home. A damn shame a person has to die when, undoubtedly, his hopes were high. - Jerry Beingesser
After finishing my 12 hour shift at the Red Rocket Express myself and John Gaston had walked up to the BX Restaurant and were sitting on the patio when we heard (what we thought) was a slow moving helicopter pass overhead. A fraction of a second later the explosion almost blew us out of our seats. Moments later did we realize what it was. We did not know until later that the 1882CS has suffered a tragic loss. I remember this as if it happened yesterday. - Alan T. Winters
I was a young SP on duty that day, and remember it well as I arrived just after SGT Pearl was evacuated. I thought of him everytime I walked by that area from then to DEROS, and have thought about the tragedy ever since..being so "short", the loss of a good man, and the unpredictability of life. His death, even though I didn't know him personally, actually was one factor that guided my life over the years in that I found the inspiration to live life fully, do my best, and make sure that my loved ones always heard me say, "I love you" when I left for any reason. Imagine my surprise to see his tribute on your website, which I was just browsing through. You have a terrific website and I'm glad I stopped by. Neal H. Trent III, PhD, ABPP, FACCP Colonel (R), US Army Director, Behavioral Medicine Program Family Medicine Residency Center - CRDAMC May God save the Republic.........
I was at Phan Rang the day Sgt Pearl was killed, we were leaving the chow hall on the way to check our mail. We heard a sound of a rocket and ran Into bunkers. I looked up over my head and saw the rocket in the air maybe 50 feet over my head. - Charlie Randall Boston MA
If you knew Sgt Pearl and would like to leave a comment please contact me. I would especially like to get a photograph of Sgt Pearl. - Gary Chandler
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