Col. John W. Ripley, USMC (Ret.)

Ripley relates his heroic feat of singlehandedly stopping the enemy during a major offensive on Easter Sunday in 1972. His "tiny force" of South Vietnamese marines was poised on one side of the Dong-Ha Bridge to take on the "enormous force" of North Vietnamese troops ready to attack from the other side. Undaunted, the determined Captain Ripley decided to take the situation in his own hands to bring down the bridge. Lugging explosives on his back and under heavy enemy fire, he precariously crawled under the bridge, set the explosives and blew up the massive structure.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Marine
• Corps
• Ripley
• Vietnam
• Dong
• Ha
• 1972
• Americans
• at
• War
• USNI
• Naval
• Institute
• USMC

[managrey]

"Hold and Die" now thats one hell of an order.

[descending61]

Sir, in case you have not heard it lately... THANK YOU!!! Everyone who awakens everyday in this country, and draws their first breath of "free Air" should thank you every day they're alive. Once again, Thank you.

[joliva30maple]

Now that is a devil dog!

[Lesslyms]

You are a bad ass sir. And below I dare you to call us kids to our face. We volunteered to go did you forget that.

[Yankeegator]

Why did not this great man rec. the Medal of Honor. HE SHOULD HAVE THE MEDAL OF HONOR!!!!

[citizenfitz]

RIP Col. Ripley. A great marine! The trucks the NVA were using to convoy troops and munitions were Fords - made in a Soviet factory designed and built by the Ford Motor Company. The fuel that powered them came from oil fields developed by American interests with close ties to the Rockefeller oil cartel. Before any military action in Viet Nam could occur the US cleared it through the UN - whose military deputy was a Soviet General....

[billyslo87]

@coxscorner There is a senator from SC that is trying to get him the Medal of Honor. I am not sure what his name is. Col. Ripley was the most decorated Veteran of Nam. His brother, Mike Ripley, was the most experienced Marine pilot of Nam and was killed in a test flight of the Harrier in '72. He was a great Marine, soldier, father, and husband. God bless him and all of our soldiers.

[gunlover94]

@coxscorner I know right? It's most likely because of his strong position against women or gays in the military.

[coxscorner]

Ok this guy won the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals with 'V' for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the South Vietnamese Army Distinguished Service Order, 2nd Class, and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

My only question is how come he didn't get the Congressional it seems his feat at the bridge is worthy of it.

[twogreek]

I was in Danang at the time. With less than 50,000 U.S. forces in country at the time, we had 250,000 ground troops and many tanks headed our way which had to go over this bridge before they got to us.

This Marine likely saved our lives with his heroic deed of taking down this bridge.

Uncommon Valor is still in our ranks.

Do or die .... OohRah.

Semper Fi Colonel .... Guard those Pearly gates until we can report for our duty with you. ... Bill - USMC '69-'73

[SushiSounds]

wow...

This man is the definition of a Hero.

[Yankeegator]

Eternal Rest Grant Him O Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He, And All The Faithful Departed, Through Your Mercy And Grace, Rest In Peace...Amen

We Few, We Happy Few, We Eternal Band Of Brothers...