SP5 Thomas Wayne Bickford, Lincoln Park, MI on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Thomas Wayne Bickford was born on November 2, 1950 in Lincoln Park, Michigan, but he and his wife Brenda lived in Ecorse. He began his second tour of duty in Vietnam in June 1971 and was killed in Ba Xugen Province.

He was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln Park High School and entered the Army in February of that year. He was sent to Vietnam in January 1970 and returned from his first tour to the United States in December 1970.

SP4 Bickford began his second tour on 6 June 1971. While in flight, OH-6A 68-17148 piloted by CW2 Michael Eugene Lukow, approximately 16 kilometers S-SW OF Kien Long Airfield, they took enemy small arms ground fire. "Gunner, SP4 Thomas Wayne Bickford was shot and brought a "bomb" back inside the helicopter causing it to explode in mid-air." (VHPA)

According to area papers, he was survived by his wife Brenda S. Pike Bickford Shelton (1951-2012); father Charles T., Harvey IL; and Mrs. and Mr. Daniel Fultz, mother and stepfather, Lincoln Park MI. Also mentioned elsewhere was a brother Tony. He may also have been a new father.

A military funeral service was held July 20, 1971, at Ecorse Baptist Temple. Brenda and "Wayne" are both buried in Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock, Wayne County, Michigan

- - - The Virtual Wall, February 18, 2018