Remember...
Bobbie Joe Ratliff
1946-1967
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson
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Remember...Bobbie Joe Ratliff
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Bobbie Joe Ratliff was born on April 14, 1946, in Roderfield, McDowell County, West Virginia. His parents were James Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Marushia Ratliff. Bobbie was one of eight children. His siblings were James, Sara Dozier, Debbie, Tammy, Dee Dee, Doug, and Jerrold. (Obituary for James Howard Ratliff on Seaver Funeral Home and Cremation Service website, accessed 15 February 2022, https://www.seaverfuneralservice.com/obituary/6257005.)
Throughout its history, McDowell County was one of the poorest and least wealthy counties in the nation. It is known for its coal mining history. Life in McDowell County was hard given the economic disparity in that region. ("McDowell County," The Community Crossing, accessed 15 February 2022, https://www.ccxwv.org/mcdowell-county.)
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Growing up, Bobbie was a very athletic and energetic boy. In high school, he attended Gary High School. He was the star athlete on the football team as the quarterback, as well as on the basketball team. He was voted most popular student his senior year of high school. After high school he played football at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, prior to joining the Marines. |  |
The Vietnam War was a conflict between North and South Vietnam, as the southern part of the nation resisted the spread of communism. In total, the war lasted 20 years. The official beginning of the Vietnam War was November 1, 1955, and the official end was April 30, 1975. In addition to the United States, the countries of China, France, Britain, the Soviet Union, Laos, and Cambodia also contributed to the war in some fashion. The era of the Vietnam War was a divisive one for the United States and its population. Many American citizens believed that the United States had no business being involved and that many American soldiers' lives were lost without cause.
While many citizens of the United States were vehemently against any American involvement in Vietnam, the U.S. government was afraid that communism would spread to South Vietnam, and then to the rest of Asia. Serious American involvement in Vietnam began in the early 1960s. This was in the midst of the "Red Scare" and the "Space Race" against the Soviet Union. The U.S. was on high alert for communist activity. Also, during this time in U.S. history, the hippie movement was taking place. "Make love, not war" was a common theme and motto embraced by the mostly mellow hipsters. However, while some citizens made "Peace and Love" their war cry, millions of patriotic Americans actually went to war.
These brave men and women totaled almost 2,700,000 soldiers, pilots, sailors, and marines. Unfortunately, around 1 out of every 10 of these 2.7 million was a casualty, suffering either an injury or loss of life. Almost 41,000 soldiers were killed in action during military operations during the Vietnam War. The large number of casualties that the American forces sustained throughout the course of their involvement in the war is a large reason for why there was so much resistance to supporting the war effort. Although many citizens openly criticized and mocked the military, many brave and patriotic young adults sought justice. Martin Luther King Jr. had said a few years prior, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The many young men and women who chose to serve their country and fight off the Red Wave of communism took this phrase to heart. One young man was Bobbie Joe Ratliff.
Bobbie Joe Ratliff enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 19 on February 24, 1966, in Ashland, Kentucky. Most members of the United States military were about Bobbie's age. He enlisted as a 0311: Rifleman and his service number was 2233380. After completing his initial training, he was sent to Vietnam around August of 1966. Upon his arrival in Vietnam, Bobbie Joe Ratliff was assigned to Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force (MAF). This battalion was an infantry battalion that participated in many different wars throughout history dating back to World War II. It is still an active battalion today. During Bobbie's time in service, he achieved the rank of corporal.
After ten months of being on the front lines, Cpl. Bobbie Joe Ratliff was removed from the front lines to finish out his tour as he was assigned to a supply detachment. On June 19, 1967, at approximate 1440 hours, he was delivering supplies to the front lines near Hill 65 in Dai Loc District, when the AMTRAC that he was riding in detonated a booby trap, which was a 250-pound bomb. They were 10 kilometers northwest of An Hoa Airfield in the Quang Nam Republic of Vietnam. One marine was killed instantly from the explosion, while Cpl. Ratliff and six other marines were wounded. The wounded marines were rushed to the1st Medical Battalion in Da Nang. At 1530 hours, Cpl. Bobbie Joe Ratliff was pronounced dead as a result of second and third degree burns over his entire body. He was just 21 years old and less than two months from finishing his tour.
His body was returned to the U.S., where he was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Mercer County, West Virginia. Cpl. Ratliff will always be remembered as he is memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 22E, Line 17, in Washington, D.C., and the West Virginia Veterans Memorial located in Charleston, West Virginia. Bobbie's commendations include: the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Marksmanship Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. ("Bobbie Joe Ratliff," HonorStates.org, accessed 15 February 2022, https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/42465/BOBBIE-J-RATLIFF/.)
Writing in the "Remembrances" section of the Wall of Faces of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Marine Sgt. Blaine E. Smith notes:
"Greater Love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) I was the Last Marine to give you a long hug on your last day on earth! Jesus then said, "Well done my good and faithful Marine." After 35 years of "Survivor's Guilt" I'm honored to be your best friend in Vietnam and you will never be forgotten by me and my family and members of Mike Company 3/7 1st Marine Division. America sleeps soundly, because of you! Thank you for giving your all. . . Your Brother in the ‘Corps' and in Christ Jesus, I love you!! ("Bobbie Joe Ratliff," accessed 15 February 2022, https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/42465/BOBBIE-J-RATLIFF/.)
| Bobbie's sister, Sarita Ratliff Dozier, on March 12, 2004, describes her experience at the Vietnam Memorial in D.C.:
I have visited the Wall in DC. It was the most awesome feeling I have ever had. Only those who have walked up to that Wall can describe the feeling that comes over you. Through this website I have been contacted by fellow Marines who knew him well. Sgt. Blaine Smith came to visit me last summer. We had a wonderful visit. He brought me several pictures that he had of my brother. When he left he surprised me with a framed picture, "Reflections". His visit helped us both to heal the hurt that Vietnam veterans and families feel so deeply. ("Bobbie Joe Ratliff," The Virtual Wall, 12 March 2004, accessed 15 February 2022, http://www.virtualwall.org/dr/RatliffBJ01a.htm.) |
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Tragically, many servicemen and women met similar fates at similar ages. Many families were left broken from the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Mothers and fathers left without children. Wives left without husbands. Husbands left without wives. Children left without parents. It is our duty as citizens of America to honor and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of freedom and democracy in this great nation of ours. Let us not forget those like Cpl. Bobbie Joe Ratliff but continue to honor them in our actions and words.
Article prepared by Hudson Raymo, Lillie Ridener, and MAJ (Ret) Brad McGee, George Washington High School JROTC
February 2022
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.