3rd Platoon, C Company, 4th/47th, 2nd Brigade Binh Dinh Province – June 19, 1967

Here’s Forrest following Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Riley, Kanasas – October 1966.
March 1967 – Forrest at Camp Bearcat – always a happy go-lucky soldier, which endeared him to all who were fortunate to know him.
On patrol near Dong Tam in the Mekong Delta, Forrest chows down on his yummy C-Rations.
April 1967 – 3rd Platoon troopers enjoying a day of R & R with some Australian troopers in a Vung Tau bar. Forrest (center) with fellow Washington State pals, Wesley Ostrem (left) & Joel Onstad (right).
Forrest, in a pensive moment while relaxing between patrols – Feb ’67 – Camp Bearcat
Forrest on our barracks ship sportin’ his new Aussie headgear overlooking our Navy landing craft at Vung Tau Harbor.
Our fallen Brothers engraved on The Wall – Forrest is forever among 48 fellow 4th/47th brave troopers who gave the ultimate sacrifice on June 19, 1967.
Members of the Ramos family, Charles, Narcisco, Eleanor, and Linda attend a special Military Ceremony honoring their beloved Forrest.
Forrest and his little brother Jessie, who also experienced combat in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne in 1969.

Hi Bill,

I just read John Bradfield’s e-mail to you regarding Forrest Ramos. Unless my old memory is failing me, Forrest was very close friends with Jose Saucedo, at least up until I left country in May ’67.

On the cruise ship going over there they were together all the time. Do you remember them up on deck and all the antics? Saucedo would holler real loud, Ramos, WHAT TIME IS IT? Ramos would reply very loudly, IT’S TIME TO GET OUT OF THIS PLACE. Everyone would break into laughter. Then Saucedo would run from the hatch cover to the ships rail and holler, RAMOS. Ramos would look up and Saucedo would point out to sea and holler, SHARPS! SHARPS! There’s SHARPS out there! Everyone would run to the rail to see and Ramos and Saucedo would go back to the hatch cover and sit down.

This used to go on every 15 minutes or so, all day long. They were involved in a couple more memorable antics that stand out in my mind. Does anyone else remember any of them?

The two of them and their constant antics made the long days on board ship bearable. As far as I can remember, they were still at it when I left Dong Tam. So, does anyone else remember this or am I losing it after all these years.

My memories of Forrest (we all called him “Ramos”) are very vivid along with all of the guys. He was well liked by everyone who knew him. I’m glad that I knew him, and thought that I’d add my recollections on this Christmas Eve.

Tony Caliari

3rd Platoon, Charlie Company