Ripley at the Bridge - Vietnam War

Col. John Ripley, USMC (June 29, 1939 – October 28, 2008) is best known for his actions in destroying the Dong Ha bridge in April, 1972 Easter Offensive. Under intense fire, Ripley dangled for three hours under the bridge while attaching 500 pounds of explosives. Ripley went back and forth having not slept for three days under fire and through razor wire in order to blow the bridge. Ripley went beam by beam, placing explosives while repeating the words "Jesus, Mary, get me there" in a rhythm.

Blowing the bridge thwarted an attack by 20,000 North Vietnamese.