LUTHER ANDERSON GHAHATE

Luther Anderson Ghahate died in the service of his country while serving in
2nd Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, 4th Infantry Division

Last name: Ghahate
First name: Luther Anderson
Home of Record (official): Zuni
State (official): NM
Date of Birth: September 2, 1946
Marital Status: Single

Branch: Army
Rank: E-4
Component: Infantry
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B20
Major Organization: 4th Infantry Division
Unit of assignment: 2nd Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol

Entered Service:
Start of Tour: April 16, 1968
Date of Casualty: October 21, 1968
Age at time of loss: 22
Casualty type: Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire, ground
Country: South, Vietnam
Province: Darlac

Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 40W, Row 12

Ranger Memorial Stone: Section B, Column 17

To the family that has had to bear the loss of Luther, we offer our heart-felt thanks for your standing so strong. Many that enjoy real freedom have been affected by the great contribution he gave towards our freedom. He is still dearly loved and missed, even to this day. Lord, those who knew him are so thankful You allowed them to be graced by his being among them. We his brothers of like spirit a spirit that says all people, of all nations should enjoy the right to live free and to choose for themselves, also thank you. He stands out to us and the world as a symbol of the Price of Freedom. Your Word says; "no greater love hath a man than this, to give his life for a friend" Luther did just that! He forsook self-preservation for others to live. He acted out of love love that required no contemplation but rather action. Surely it never crossed his mind at the moment he was helping his team board the extraction ship, that he would come to be known as a "HERO". We thank You for men and women like our brother that thought it not too much, to give his life for others to live. Lord, this day give comfort to those loved ones that have been all these years without him. Help them to know he is at rest with you and "Warriors" of like kind. May we never forget it was the blood of others that bought our freedoms. Lord, regardless of our belief, help us as we remember him and the many like him to consider the following words of wisdom; to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength, and secondly to love our neighbor as our self. Truly acceptance and application of this wisdom by all people of the world, is to see war and all other atrocities against humanity end! May our hearts be charged to honor the sacrifices of such men and women with a continuous, and sincere effort to promote peace on earth, and good will towards all?

Luther was lost on October 21, 1968 while performing his duties as an alternate team leader. His team was in contact with an unknown number of enemy soldiers. Darkness had fallen and the team had settled in the night location, and unbeknownst to them the enemy had spotted them earlier, and waited for dark to attack. The team when attacked fought boldly holding the enemy at bay right up to the time a rescue was attempted by brave helicopter crews. When the birds arrived on scene, the only thing they could do was hover over a shallow pond, making the extraction more difficult, especially in the dark, and under fire.. The team broke contact, but was pursued as they moved towards the chopper. Once at the chopper Dickie and Luther both did as any leader would, they worked to get the team and the weapons on board before they got on, and as fate would have it, neither would make it. The chopper pilots thinking all were on board quickly lifted off to avoid being downed by enemy fire. The fact that all team members were not aboard was realized when one looked down and saw a team member hanging on to the skid of the chopper. The pilots were made aware of the situation, but when they looked for the one hanging to the skid, he was no longer there. They flew over the area hoping to find the missing team members, but to no avail. Darkness and enemy fire called for aborting the attempt. The next day they began a search for the men that lasted three days. Only Luther was found. Dickie was gone without a trace and has to date never been found. Luther died of wounds received from small arms fire. The team had fought gallantly and stuck together. One important thing to note is; self preservation was certainly a concern, but rather than worry about that, they, Luther and Dickie busied themselves with assisting the team members getting on board the extraction ship. We of the 75th Ranger Regiment Association do Honor Luther and Dickie. Truly they loved their fellowman and remained true to the Ranger Creed; WE Leave No Man Behind. Heroes that answered our country’s call at a tumultuous time in the history of our country. The personal bravery, determination, and exemplary devotion to duty reflects well upon them, and the highest traditions of Rangers, the United States Army, and our great Nation The United States Of America. Gone but not forgotten.

Bob Smyers

On October 21, 1968, PFC Dickie Finley was the team leader of a 5 man Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team operating in the vicinity of Ban Me Thuot in Darlac Province, South Vietnam. The unit was based at Kontum in South Vietnam. During the evening, PFC Finley reported enemy contact and after expending their ammunition, the team withdrew to a pickup zone to await a helicopter. The enemy had previously given a false report on their position and marked their location with red smoke. Finley radioed again for a pickup. The extraction helicopter hovered over a shallow pond and began loading the team members. Finley threw his rifle on board and was helping three team members board the aircraft when it took off prematurely, leaving Finley behind. SP4 Ghahate was clinging to the skids until he fell off. In the darkness, it was not immediately known that all the team members were not aboard. One team member looked out and saw a man hanging on the helicopter-landing skid. He signaled the pilot, but when he looked again, the man was gone. The pilot circled the area in search of the 2 missing men. The search was terminated after 30 minutes because of darkness. The following day ground forces and helicopter units initiated a 3-day search. The body of Ghahate was recovered. He had been wounded and it was believed that it was he who fell from the helicopter.

Warren Gallion