3rd Battalion 26th Marines (Vietnam)

Lee Ruleman

Lee Gordon ‘Skip’ Ruleman, 64, of Thornton, Colorado passed away on January 23, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO. He was born on November 29, 1946 to Charles ‘Buck’ and Polly Ruleman in Akron, Ohio. He grew up in Houston, Texas alongside his sister, Becky.

Skip graduated from Jesse H. Jones High School in 1965. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 26, 1966. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged on February 18, 1970 at the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds incurred during his service with Kilo 3/26.

Skip married Patricia (Tricia) Ruleman in Houston, TX on June 28, 1990. They lived in Thornton, CO for fourteen years.

Skip worked for SeAH PanMeridian Tubular in Denver, Colorado. He enjoyed many things in life including travel, golfing, playing the drums in both his church band and the Denver & District Pipe Band. Music was a passion in Skips’ life.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ruleman of Thornton, Colorado, Mother, Polly Ruleman of Hixson, Tennessee, his sister, Rebecca Ruleman Hawks and her husband Ron Hawks, of Hixson, Tennessee, his son, Christopher Ruleman and his wife, Merrie, along with their 3 children Justin, Ashlynn, and Torin of Sabine Pass, Texas, and his son, Sean Ruleman, of Texas. Skip was preceded in death by his father, Charles ‘Buck’ Ruleman in 1997.

Tom Silvear

Thomas Albert Silvear at the age of 76 passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2008 in Kerrville, Texas. He was born on June 12, 1932 in Carmel, California to Edwin & Rachel Silvear. Thomas was a retired from the U.S. Marine Corp serving in Korea, and Vietnam. He married Ann Seward. Major Thomas Silvear had an honored and distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. Thomas enlisted at age 18 and went straight from basic training at Camp Pendleton to Korea where he was part of "Dog" Company, 2/1, 1st Marine Division. He made the Inchon landing and fought at the Chosin Reservoir. After attending Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA, Thomas was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1958 and promoted to First Lieutenant in 1959. He was assigned to 1st Recon Battalion, then part of the Marine contingent aboard a USN cruiser before serving as a recruiting officer in Denver for two years. In May, 1966 he deployed to Vietnam as the Company Commander of "India" Company, 3/26. He returned in 1970 as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marines.  His many honors and commendations for valor include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with three stars), Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color (with Palm), and the Naval Observer Wings.  He is survived by his wife of 24 years Ann Silvear of Kerrville and seven children

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