COUNTY LIFE

Army service as a ‘tunnel rat’ still haunts Vietnam veteran

Published

8 years ago

11/10/2018

bowienews

Richard Blair, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War working as a “tunnel rat.”

By BARBARA GREEN

editor@bowienewsonline.com

The life expectancy of a “tunnel rat” in Vietnam was three seconds. With such a statistic it is amazing Richard Blair survived 18 months scurrying through enemy tunnels, but today at the age of 75 he struggles with memories and health issues from his service.
The Vietnam War was the longest in U.S. history lasting almost 20 years from 1955-1975, however, the War in Afghanistan that began in 2001 may surpass it as it enters its 17th year. More than 58,000 American servicemen died, more than 150,000 were wounded and there are 10,000 missing.
Blair has the distinction of being the first Montague County serviceman from Vietnam to safely return home as recorded in the Montague County History Book. His transition back to normal life did not go smoothly before being gathered back home by his parents who helped him settle back in.
Nocona boy
Richard Blair was adopted at the age of five from Houston by Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Blair, who lived at Belcherville and later moved to Nocona. He attended school at Ringgold for seven years before transferring to Nocona where he graduated in 1963.
Less than a year later in 1964 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Blair didn’t let his parents know until he was already at basic training in Fort Polk, LA. After eight weeks he went to Hawaii for advanced infantry training, where he was attached to the 25th Infantry, Company B.
It was while at Fort Polk the Army took notice of his small stature and began to train and use him to demonstrate how a smaller man could take down a larger man. Blair proudly shows photos of himself demonstrating how to battle a larger enemy, and adds he didn’t mind because he had been small all his life and now it was helpful.
When asked about the draft and how he felt about the war, Blair says he was “okay” with going into the service, and running off to Canada was never an option.
“I didn’t know anyone even did that until I came back home. I wasn’t a draft dodger or anything. I followed orders and came out 18 months later as an E4,” he said.
Some 5,000 infantrymen left Hawaii on two ships heading toward Vietnam, escorted by submarines on all sides. Blair recalls they arrived at Saigon and went on a “deuce and a half” personnel carrier mounted with a 60-caliber machine gun.
“Before we really even got started they were shooting at us. All we had was our duffle bags, we had not been issued weapons yet. We hit the floorboards and hoped everyone was alright. That was my first day,” laughed Blair.

Read the full feature on this local Vietnam War veteran in your weekend News.

COUNTY LIFE

Nocona City Council may reconsider golf cart registration fee

Published

10 hours ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

The Nocona City Council gave its budget proposal a final once-over before setting a public hearing for it and the proposed tax rate for Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.
Council members also heard from Blake McNew who is against the recently approved fee and registration process for golf carts and related vehicles.
Last month the council approved an ordinance that set forth registration requirements for these vehicles with a $50 registration fee. After several close calls and complaints from downtown business people and citizens on near misses with ATVs and golf carts driving unsafely downtown the council took the step to add the ordinance.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said after some discussion the council asked for it to be back on next month’s agenda with possible consideration for repealing the fee. After some research she added a person can go through the state to obtain a license plate for these vehicles and the local sticker would not be needed.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

School ratings strong across area

Published

11 hours ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The staff of Texas Education Agency on Aug. 14 announced the release of 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state.
Almost all of the school districts in the county saw their district ratings increase or remain consistent, along with some of their campuses.
There were 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses rated in 2026. Some 24% of both districts and campuses increased in rating compared to 2025.

Read the full story and see all the county ratings in your Thursday Bowie News.

2026 state accountability ratings

Bowie Independent School District – B, 80 of 100 points
Elementary/intermediate – C, 74
Junior high – B, 84
High school – B, 86
Bellevue ISD – A, 92
Forestburg ISD – B, 82
Gold-Burg ISD – C, 76
Montague ISD – A, 93
Nocona ISD – B, 86
Elementary – B, 80
Middle school – C, 79
High school – A, 94
Prairie Valley ISD – B, 88
Saint Jo ISD – B, 82
Elementary – D, 66
High school – A, 92

COUNTY LIFE

Clear the Shelter this Saturday in Bowie

Published

11 hours ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

Friends of the Bowie Animal Shelter will host the annual Clear the Shelter event from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22.
The shelter is located at 1508 E. Wise. While this is a nationwide effort to recognize the work of animal shelters, their staff and volunteers, this also is a chance to support their efforts by attending the bake sale, silent auction and food vendors.
Adoptable dogs from the Bowie shelter as well as Easy Street Shelter of Saint Jo, Lucky Paws in Nocona and McCares of Montague will be present.
If your family is considering adopting a pet this would be a great time to visit with the animals and meet the volunteers who can tell you a bit about the animals. Prospective volunteers also are welcome, so ask your questions.
Staff from Cross Timbers Vet will be giving reduced price vaccinations.
There will be a prize drawing at noon for a bounce house and a Turtle Box speaker. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win either prize. Drawing at noon.