Richard Bates KIA In Viet Cong Ambush

(Sept. 22, 1966) - Marine private Richard Stanley Bates Jr., 19, was killed Saturday in a Viet Cong ambush near Quangtri, Vietnam.

A Marine lieutenant visited both the home of Richard’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Bates of Margaret Ave., Nutley, N.J., and a close aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Newport of Spring Street.

The telegram said simply that Pfc. Bates died on Sept. 17 of multiple fragmentation wounds while engaged in action against hostile forces.

Bates had been involved in two combat missions prior to last week. So severe were the hardships imposed by those two military operations that his unit was sent back to the Philippines for a week’s rest.

Adapted from The Nutley Sun

Laurel Section, NW F, Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J.

Washington, D.C.

National Memorial Wall Panel Panel 10E - Row 104

Richard S. Bates' name appears in this graphic
on a T-shirt sold near the national memorial in Washington, D.C.
The T-shirt is copyright GSI 1998

New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Nutley Sons Honor Roll

Vietnam War