ALPHA Company 2/28th 1967


		In Memory of: Ray Gribble KIA 10-17-67

		United States Army "ALPHA" 1967 2/28th Battalion - 2/28 Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division

Ray Gribble - KIA - October 17, 1967 - "Alpha" 2/28th

When God created Ray Neal Gribble the man should have been named: SELFESS SERVICE. He was a 23-year-old married, volunteer for the draft in 1966. As the Vietnam War heightened in intensity, Ray Neal Gribble saw that he would be drafted. His father argued with him not to volunteer -- that there were "ways" to stay out of the service. His father owned a lucrative auto parts business in Muncie, Indiana and he was hoping that his oldest son, Ray Neal, would take over the business shortly. Ray Neal Gribble felt otherwise. He told his father he felt he had an obligation to serve his country as an American and he volunteered for the draft and sought service in Vietnam. In September of 1967 Ray Neal Gribble, a SP4 draftee, was a squad leader in Company A, 2/28th Inf, 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He had seen many men come and go, many in body bags. He walked in the valley of the shadow of death daily as an infantry squad leader.

Major Jim Shelton was the Operation Officer, S3 of the Black Lions, and he was looking for an experienced soldier who knew what was going on, to be his Radio/Telephone Operator (RTO) to replace his RTO who was going home. In combat, RTO's were critical assignments. In addition to knowing how to fight, RTO's had to know how to keep the battalion's radio alive, and how to send rapid, concise situation reports (Sitreps) to higher headquarters. The job demanded a man with Vietnam experience and knowledge, a quick thinker and a strong back to carry the radio along with his other gear. Major Shelton had observed SP4 Gribble on a number of occasions as he walked the battalion perimeter at dusk. Gribble's men were always squared away - weapons cleaned, equipment ready -- at slack times Gribble could be seen reading to his men passages from the bible that he carried in his pack. He was a resourceful, mature, conscientious and intelligent man. Major Shelton approached the A Co Commander and asked that he give up Gribble to be the RTO who carried the battalion operations net radio. The Company Commander said it would be like "giving up my own right arm" one of his best squad leaders. Major Shelton argued that Gribble had already served enough time in the line, almost six months. His experience was needed at battalion, and the job was much safer than a line squad leader.The Company Commander relucttantly agreed and Ray Gribble became the S3's RTO. He learned the job in a flash. In no time he was rendering SITREPS to Colonels and Generals who would come up on the battalion operations net with the call, "Dauntless 3 this is Danger 77, SITREP". The RTO would then immediately answer withb a concise rundown on what the battalion was doing at that time. It was a difficult thing to do for an experienced Major, but Gribble fit right into the battalion command group.

After about ten days on the job Major Shelton was relazing somewhat knowing that gribble, his experienced, mature, and intelligent RTO had become his strong right arm. Then, without forewarning, Gribble asked Shelton if he could talk to him about something. Major Shelton replied, "Of course," Gribble said, "Sir I must go back to my squad. I visited them this morning and they are in bad shape. They asked me to come back, and I could see that they need me back there".

Major Shelton felt a jolt of anger. He said, "Wait a minute-I need you here. The battalion needs you here. You've served your time in hell-you've walked point and the line. I need you here! They'll get another squad leader." Major Shelton looked up into Ray neal Gribble's eyes. Huge tears welled up in his eyes. He said, "Sir I have to go back to my men."

There was NO doubt that this was a man among men - a man of SELFLESS SERVICE - putting others before himself.

On October 17, 1967, Ray Neal Gribble was leading his squad when they were ambused. Ray Neal Gribble was killed in action.

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