Ray Helmer
U.S. Army 68-70
Vietnam/DUC-PHO
Raymond Helmer was born March 22, 1945 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa to Alma and Glen Helmer. He graduated from Regina High School, then attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Business Degree (BBA) and a commission in the United Sates Army in May of 1968. He spent the first year of active duty in Virginia, going to many schools including Civil Affairs and Transportation Corp. His last six months in Virginia he oversaw the burial details in a four-state area, honoring the deceased servicemen returning from Vietnam.
Ray arrived in Vietnam in May of 1969, at the age of 24. First in Saigon then to Da Nang, then down to Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province where he would spend the rest of his tour. He was a Civil Affairs Officer and his duty was to live with the people and work in and supply the 18 refugee villages relocated from the Mountain side of Highway 1 to the Oceanside of the only road in the country. The road in this section was often mined, and he transported many severely injured children to the hospital. The rice fields on the mountain side of the road were a free fire zone. Choppers, jets, and artillery were cleared to fire on anyone spotted after dark. The infamous My Lai Massacre took place in this area the year before he arrived and was one of his refugee camps, another was a leper colony. He hasn’t since experienced the level of bravery, comradery, and generosity of the American soldiers and the Vietnamese during his time there. This experience was the best and worst of his life.
Ray returned to Iowa City in May of 1970. After his service he managed and built rental properties in the Iowa City area, worked for the Iowa Development commission and was a small business owner. He has 4 beautiful daughters and 9 grandchildren who he enjoys spending time with. Ray is a hunter, fisherman, gardener, and an avid environmentalist who still lives in the Iowa City area.
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