Where's Rick?

In 1972, the waning days of the Vietnam War, President Richard Nixon’s Vietnamization plan was in full swing. South Vietnam’s army had taken over most of the ground fighting and American soldiers were coming home in record numbers. Still, replacement troops were needed to support the South Vietnamese war effort.

Despite the anti-war movement and the disrespect experienced by returning soldiers, Rick Spencer joined the Army, volunteered for Vietnam, and was assigned to an Aviation Company. After a short training program in-country, Rick soon found himself under fire, flying over the jungles as a door gunner, among the most dangerous jobs in the war.

Rick was wounded in action, but returned to combat and finished his tour of duty. Shortly before Christmas 1973, he was discharged from the Army and returned to Tennessee—a changed man.

Only 10 months later on a cool October night, Rick Spencer went missing. Friends, relatives, and law enforcement began a massive search. Rick’s mother made numerous calls, simply asking: Where’s Rick?