In Memory

Rick Almanza



 
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03/11/12 04:04 PM #1    

Jeffrey Johnson

Obit:

CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular. 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male. Born on Oct 16, 1947. From MOLINE, ILLINOIS. Length of service 1 year. His tour of duty began on Mar 06, 1968. Casualty was on Sep 03, 1968. in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM. HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY. GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE. Body was recovered. Religion. ROMAN CATHOLIC

High School:

French Club 11, 12; Spanish Club 10; Wrestling 10, 11, 12; Football 10; Track 10; Intramural Football 12.


12/16/12 11:58 AM #2    

Mike Blaser

I attended both Moline High School and St Ambrose College with Rick Almanza.  We bccame better aquainted at St Ambrose and were both art majors.  He had a quiet unassuming personality and was a very creative and eager artist.  After his second year he decided he would join the Marines and use the G. I. bill to finish his education.  His death in Vietnam the following year went with little notice at the St Ambrose art department.  In those days young men who stood up for their country suffered ridicule and were both secretly and openly despised for the simple beliefs of their fathers courage and sacrifice in past wars.  I think of you often Rick and know you would have been a fine artist.   On an official website dedicated to the war dead from Viet Nam I read the Cpl. Almanza was awarded the Silver Star for heroism. 

              Michael Blaser


12/17/12 09:44 AM #3    

Linda Malmstrom (Leitner)

I remember Rick from Spanish class and Spanish Club.  Always kind and caring. Had his life not been cut short by the war, I know he would have made good contributions to our society.


12/19/12 10:48 AM #4    

Suzee Carson (Branch)

When I was home in October I was talking to Craig McFarlin who got tears in his eyes telling me how much Rick Almanza had meant to him. I hadn't realized they were such close friends. I remember Rick and thought of him as a quiet intelligent guy. I wasn't fotunate enough to know him well. 


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