Rick Mendoza

This photo of Rick was taken on Hill 52 while he was cleaning the 81mm mortar.
The mortar rounds can be seen stacked up on the sandbags surrounding the gun pit. The rounds are still in their protective cardboard casings.
The gun was kept spotless so it was ready for use at a moments notice. Marines' lives depended on the mortars being ready for action.

Rick is now living in Colorado Springs, Colorado and is doing well.

Welcome home, Rick.

Click on the above photo of Rick cleaning the gun to hear a 61 second, RealAudio file of an 81mm mortar fire mission that took place in this gun pit on Hill 52.

The voices in the recording are Don Johnson (Forward Observer),
Rick Mendoza (Gunner), and Sandy (Assistant Gunner).