VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 131 BERKS COUNTY, PA
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The event will be held rain or shine.
If it rains it will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall.
There will be a gathering afterward,
​we welcome you to join us for
​conversations, reflection and remembrance.
​More details below.

Picture
         On Saturday, May 9, 2026, we invite you to join us as we honor:
Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Harold Angstadt, a United States Air Force pilot
who went missing in action nearly 60 years ago during the Vietnam War.
          The dedication ceremony will take place at 1:00 PM at the Friedens Cemetery, located at 337 Main Street, Oley, PA 19547.
          Born in Oley on September 3, 1932, Ralph was one of four children born to Paul and Anna Angstadt. The Angstadt family holds a rare and remarkable legacy of American service; Ralph and his two brothers each served in a different branch of the military during three distinct major conflicts:
  •                        Leon Angstadt: U.S. Army, World War II
  •                        Melvin Angstadt: U.S. Marines, Korean War
  •                        Ralph Angstadt: U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War
          On October 18, 1966, then-Major Ralph Angstadt was serving as the Rescue Commander and Pilot of an HU-16 Albatross. He and his six-man crew departed Da Nang Airbase at 11:01 AM on a courageous mission to rescue a downed pilot in the Gulf of Tonkin. At 5:45 PM that evening, approximately 35 miles off the coast of North Vietnam, all contact with the aircraft was lost.
          For decades, the Angstadt family held onto hope. While Ralph’s remains have not yet been recovered, his sister, Janet, the sole surviving sibling, has never wavered in her commitment to her brother’s memory. "Until I know what happened to my brother, I will not give up hope," Janet once stated.
          In a tribute to his life and sacrifice, the family will dedicate a memorial plaque within the family plot. This ceremony ensures that Ralph finally has a place among his own, resting symbolically alongside his family.
          This memorial will serve as a permanent testament to Lt. Col. Angstadt’s bravery, a place where his story will continue and where the Oley community can ensure he is never forgotten.
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