06/23/2026
๐บ๐ธ As we prepare to welcome The Wall That Heals to Downriver, we honor and remember SP5 Thomas Wayne Bickford of Lincoln Park, Michigan. ๐บ๐ธ
SP5 Bickford is memorialized on Panel 3W, Line 105 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A United States Army Armor Reconnaissance Specialist, SP5 Bickford served with C Troop, 16th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade. In this role, he supported combat operations and reconnaissance missions in South Vietnam.
On July 11, 1971, while serving in Ba Xuyen Province, South Vietnam, SP5 Bickford was killed in action when the helicopter in which he was flying was struck by enemy gunfire and exploded in mid-air.
A 1969 graduate of Lincoln Park High School, SP5 Bickford left behind his wife, family, friends, and a community that continues to remember his sacrifice. He is laid to rest at Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, Michigan.
SP5 Bickford answered his nation's call with courage, honor, and devotion to duty. As we bring The Wall That Heals to our community, we are honored to preserve his memory, recognize his sacrifice, and ensure that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. ๐บ๐ธ