SP5 Ralph Mears is honored on Panel 23W, Row 22 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A native of Norfolk, VA, he was born on April 29, 1949, the son of Norfolk homicide detective Ralph J. Mears, Sr.  Juddy was a member of the Tidewater Council Boy Scout Troop 44 and received his rank of Eagle on May 13, 1964. “Baby-San” was 21 years old when he was killed in action during a mortar attack on May 30, 1969 in the province of Hua Nghia while serving as Senior Medic with C 1/505th PIR.
Photo provided by Don McPhail
Â
Photo Provided by Rick Talioaga
Â
Photo provided by Gene Taylor
Â
Life Magazine June 27, 1969
Tears come to my eyes just to see his picture…he taught me everything he could about being a medic..we were both Virginians and became good friends..I would have never met him if it had not been for Viet Nam…and if it had not been for Viet Nam, I would not have lost a friend … but I have never forgotten.
“Doc” Taylor 1/505 Co. A
Posted by: Gene Taylor
Genetaylor1972@msn.com
“Doc” Mears was a very good and dedicated Medic. As I recall he had extended his tour to stay in the field. We were in an overcrowded ARVN compound because of a Vietnamese Holiday and we couldn’t be on patrol. We always had to follow the rules you know. Needless to say we were hit that night. I was the Forward Observer for A Co. “Doc” Mears was a heroic and fine young man.
Â
Posted by: Bill Culp 1ST LT FO A CO 1/505
culpbill@netscape.net
Â
On 1-9-01 I received a call from Larry Jamison in response to my ad in “Paraglide”. Larry tells me that Ralph was pictured in the “Life” Magazine story on 6-27-69 about “The Faces of the American Dead – One week’s total”. My brother, Herman L. Judy, Jr. is pictured in that article also. I am told that Ralph was a very fine medic. I look forward to visiting the Fort Bragg, NC Museum to see the display of the “Life” magazine and Ralph’s pewtered combat boots. What a special tribute to one of America’s fine young men.
Posted by: Donna Judy Lathe, (daughter of Hilda Judy)
Trying to compile Company roster … please contact me if u were with D 1/508 from 1968-1969.
Thanks!
Dave Harrington
kawika49@hotmail.com
CITATION FOR THE AWARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
NEAR DAK TO PROVINCE, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
NOVEMBER 19, 1967
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters distinguished himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak To. Chaplain Watters was moving with one of the companies when it engaged a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged and casualties mounted, Chaplain Watters, with complete disregard for his safety, rushed forward to the line of contact. Unarmed and completely exposed, he moved among, as well as in front of the advancing troops, giving aid to the wounded, assisting in their evacuation, giving words of encouragement, and administering the last rites to the dying.
When a wounded paratrooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting forces, Chaplain Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his shoulders and carried him to safety. As the troopers battled to the first enemy entrenchment, Chaplain Watters ran through the intense enemy fire to the front of the entrenchment to aid a fallen comrade. A short time later, the paratroopers pulled back in preparation for a second assault. Chaplain Watters exposed himself to both friendly and enemy fire between the two forces in order to recover two wounded soldiers.
Later, when the battalion was forced to pull back into a perimeter, Chaplain Watters noticed that several wounded soldiers were lying outside the newly formed perimeter. Without hesitation and ignoring attempts to restrain him, Chaplain Watters left the perimeter three times in the face of small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire to carry and to assist the injured troopers to safety. Satisfied that all of the wounded were inside the perimeter, he began aiding the medics – applying field bandages to open wounds, obtaining and serving food and water, giving spiritual and mental strength and comfort.
During his ministering he moved out to the perimeter from position to position redistributing food and water, and tending to the needs of his men. Chaplain Watters was giving aid to the wounded when he himself was mortally wounded. Chaplain Watters’ unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
