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Herbert Richard (Dick) Oxnam passed away July 13, 2009.
Dick was born in Chicago in 1929, moved to Tucson in 1932, attended Sam Hughes, Mansfield, and Tucson High, graduating in 1947.
A strong patriot, Dick joined the Marine Corps at 18 and served in Korea where he earned the Purple Heart and Bronze star. He served in the Marine Corp and Reserves for 43 years, retiring as a Colonel.
He received degrees from both the U of A and Texas A&M.
Dick married Elizabeth Jane (Raimar) Oxnam, USMCR, in 1954. They have seven children, Donna Oxnam-Frino, Tom, Eric, Kevin, Andrea Dunn, Bert, and Karl. Dick and Betty are the proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren.
Dick worked for Shamrock Dairy for over 30 years and then for the City of Tucson for 22 years where he was the oldest employee when he retired.
Dick was a Korean War veteran and a member of the Marine Corp League. He also volunteered countless hours and donated continuously to several organizations including the Red Cross, United Way and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Dick was a Marine, a model citizen, a diligent worker, a beloved father, husband, and son. He will be missed by many.
Services at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 7650 N. Paseo del Norte at 12:00 noon Saturday, July 18, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to woundedwarriorproject.org.
Korean War/Third Korean Winter (1952-53)/Battle of the Outposts (Vegas - Reno - Carson)
From Month/Year
March / 1953
To Month/Year
March / 1953
Description The Battle for Outpost Vegas was a battle during the Korean War between the armed forces of the United States and China from March 26–28, 1953, four months before the end of the Korean War. Vegas was one of three outposts called the Nevada Cities north of the Main Line of Resistance (MLR), the United Nations defensive line which stretched roughly around the latitude 38th Parallel. Vegas, and the outposts it supported, Reno and Carson, were manned by elements of the 1st Marine Division. On March 26, 1953 the Chinese army launched an attack on the Nevada Cities, including Vegas, in an attempt to better the position of China and North Korea in the Panmunjon peace talks which were occurring at the time, and to gain more territory for North Korea when its borders would be solidified. The battle raged for five days until Chinese forces halted their advance after partially obtaining their objective through capturing one outpost north of the MLR on March 28. The battle for outpost Vegas and the surrounding outposts are considered the bloodiest fighting to date in western Korea during the Korean War. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 American casualties and twice that number of Chinese during the battle of outpost Vegas. The battle is also known for the involvement of Sergeant Reckless, a horse in a USMC recoilless rifle platoon who transported ammunition and the wounded during the U.S. defense of outpost Vegas.