Biography

Robert L. Mosher was born on 5 February 1938, in San Diego, California where his father, a 26-year Navy veteran, was stationed. He was the son of Lloyd and Anna Mosher. He was a 1955 graduate of Rogers High School where he was a member the Biology Club, Class Night Committee and Junior ROTC. Bob entered the University of Rhode Island in September 1955 with the class of 1959. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Cadet Colonel of the Army ROTC Brigade his senior year. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Advertising and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

LT Mosher received his wings for fixed wing aircraft at Fort Rucker, Alabama and his helicopter wings at Fort Wolters, Texas. Captain Mosher served in Korea and Germany prior to deploying to Vietnam in early March 1967. He was assigned as an aviator with the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division.

In January 1967, the 9th Infantry Division “Old Reliables” established Camp Dong Tam in the Viet Cong infested Mekong Delta. The 9th Division had their first significant contact with the enemy on 20 January 1967. On 20 March 1967, his unit joined in “Operation Junction City.” A six-hour fire fight took place near Bau Bang, 34 miles north of Saigon, leaving 230 Viet Cong dead. Friendly force losses amounted to four killed and 67 wounded. Captain Mosher was involved in combat operations throughout his assignment as the pilot of a gunship supporting combat operations in the Viet Cong infested Mekong Delta.

On 26 May 1967 Captain Mosher was the aircraft commander of a helicopter gunship on a combat assault mission supporting the 51st Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. The mission was extremely dangerous due to poor weather that evening. CPT Mosher and his crew willingly accepted the risk because the unit was in contact with the enemy and desperately needed the air support. CPT Mosher’s aircraft crashed and burned while executing their mission. Captain Mosher and his entire crew perished in the crash.

Captain Robert Lloyd Mosher was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife Marilyn and their three children.  Captain Mosher is a true Rhode Island hero. He answered the call to service during the Vietnam War and gave his life in service to Rhode Island and America.