Remembering SSG Ray "DOC" Borowski
During this once in a lifetime ceremony Specialist Fourth Class Louis Macellari returned Staff Sergeant Ray Borowski's St Christopher's medallion after forty-three years to Patricia Borowski (Paprocki) and the Borowski family.
Anonymous brothers-in-arms in Vietnam, they served in the 1st Battalion, 8th Infanty, 4th Infantry Division. Lou Macellari in A 1/8 and Borowski assigned to B 1/8. The bond they shared is uncommonly deep and it took tragedy to bring them together. It was May 20, 1967 in the jungles of Vietnam near the Cambodian border during the 'Nine Days In May' battles, May 18-26, 1967. The 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry was taking heavy fire from the NVA, first 175 mortar rounds, then 45 B-40 rockets, followed by intense small arms fire. By early the next morning the battalion had suffered 16 KIAs and another 63 WIAs. One of the wounded was a Medic Ssgt Ray 'Doc' Borowski. Lou Macellari had stayed with him throughout the night to provide cover for him while they waited for a medivac chopper. In the morning when the chopper arrived it was unable to land because of the ongoing battle. An attempt was made to lower a cable with a life basket attached to lift Borowski into the chopper. As the crew tried to bring him in, there was a problem, the lift malfunctioned. As they frantically tried to reel the basket into the chopper, they had to leave the LZ because of intense heavy fire. Minutes later the medivac returned and with the help of the troops on the LZ tried to get Borowski to safety. As they lowered the basked down with the life basket hanging tenuously, the cable snapped and the basket fell to the ground, tragically killing Borowski instantly.
Earlier that morning as SSG Borowski was moved to the LZ, he removed his St Christopher's medallion from around his neck and in a gesture of kindness gave it to Sp4 Macellari. Borowski's thoughts must have been that he was going home because of his wounds and the St Christopher medallion (the patron Saint of Safe Passages) would bring Macellari good luck and safety and would help him make it back home. Ray's last living thoughts as a medic were to help an infantry grunt before he left the battle. There were many acts of of valor displayed among soldiers of Companies A & B and the 1/8 Infantry that went unnoticed that night. This one is very special, because it demonstrates the bond they had for each other. One was wounded and needed help and the other stayed with him to provide protection.
Lou Macellari attends our A & B Company reunions and has treasured the St Christopher medallion that Ray Borowski gave to him on that fateful day forty-three years ago. It is exactly like it was when he received it from him. At the presentation Lou Macellari told the family that the medallion 'worked for me' and he finally had a chance to 'give back' Ray's St Christopher medallion at this ceremony in Dearborn, MI. This once in a lifetime event was very special because a home town Vietnam Veteran was recognized and honored by family members Patricia Borowski (Paprocki), sons: U.S. Army SGT Bruce Borowski, Ray Borowski Jr, Chris Borowski, daughter Eilene Borowski (Rush), fellow vets, and the community of Dearborn.
This true statement about Raymond Borowski and his selfless acts of character for the living and dying in Vietnam exemplifies why we as veterans honor and respect him for his unyielding display of strength and faith in very difficult conditions. We must remember that Lou Macellari was the last living link between him and his family and friends. May He Rest In Peace -- We Will Never Forget.
Thanks to Bill Dobbie A 1/8 and National Council Member, VFW for his opening remarks. Dave Casas 1/8 Infantry Medic for his remembrance of his friend and mentor, Raymond 'Doc' Borowski. The guest speaker Mayor John O'Reilly, Dearborn, MI, and the posting of the guard by the VVA Chapter 267. A special thanks to the vets of A & B Companies, and the HQ Company Medics of 1/8 Infantry for attending.
Doc in the jungles of Vietnam
Respectively submitted by
Landis Bargatze
A/1/8
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