Synopsis: SP4 Arthur Wright was a member of battery A, 1st Battalion,44th
Artillery. On Feb. 21, 1967, a few days after his 21st birthday, Wrightwas
manning a listening post near Dai An Gate of the Marine combat Base, Dong
Ha City, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Manning the post withWright
were Pvt. Rypkemo and Pvt. Jackson.
At about 2200 hours SP4 Wright told his companions that he wasgoing
to check the perimeter wire, and that if he was not back by 2400hours to
report him to the A Battery orderly room. Wright then departedhis post
and proceded to the track position #4 manned by a crew from batteryb, 1st
Battalion, 44th artillery. He told the crew that he was goingout
to check the perimeter wire, and not to shoot.
At 2230 hours, both the listing post and the track crew observeda
trip flare go off and saw SP4 Wright going through the perimeterwire
in the vicinity carrying his M14 rifle and a cartridge belt with about9
cartridge magazines. SP4 Wright never returned.
A search of the perimeter was conducted the following day withoutsuccess.
Arther who " had a smile for everyone" disappeared on Feb. 21 1967.No
further word has surfaced about Athur Wright.
Wright was not among the Prisoners of war that were released in1973
by the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese deny any knowledge of him, though circumstances
surrounding the incident indicate the strong probability that enemy forces
knew of his fate.
GUNNY
