Ronnie at our 2005 Charlie Company Reunion displaying his Purple Heart and the Viet Cong bullet that hit him during the battle of June 19, 1967.
A close look shows the bullet’s extreme distortion having slammed into Ronnie’s buttocks & the resulting damage to his left leg is noticeable. This proves my theory that Ronnie was a hard ass in his youth. . .
These 2 photos are courtesy of Bill Varsafsky. Bill visited Ronnie at the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon shortly after Ronnie was severely wounded.
Here’s Ronnie recuperating before he was sent back to the good ole USA.
Ronnie had barely finished one year of Army Duty before he was seriously wounded on June 19, 1967. He spent the remainder of his two year hitch seeking treatment from Saigon to Japan, back to Fort Riley and then to Fitzsimons, and finally with the VA in Kansas City. His weight dropped to 96lbs during his ordeal, but notice that Ronnie was smiling all the way through. Probably because he knew he had Bonnie’s constant love and support. Ronnie, you are one very lucky man!
