WHNT 19 News
BY AL WHITAKER
FEBRUARY 26, 2015
Ron Buis came home from Vietnam with a Purple Heart, a Vietnamese Citation for Gallantry with Bronze and Silver stars, and a Gold Star from the Marines in lieu of a second Purple Heart.HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – WHNT News 19 is Taking Action on the behalf of a prisoner in the Madison County Jail. Ron Buis served his country with honor but now he’s serving time. We agreed to do his story because of the reason he’s behind bars.
He also brought with him the haunting memories of a horrible experience that would later manifest themselves as psychotic depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. From the records we could obtain, Buis was being treated for these issues a decade ago.
Buis is charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling. It’s a felony, and he’s being held without bond. It’s not that Buis was outside shooting into someone else’s house. He was in his mobile home and the bullets traveled into the mobile homes near his. It happened on more than one occasion, too.
His friends tell us Ron wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. They say he was shooting at the voices in his head.
In 1967, Ron Buis was only 17 years old when he enlisted in the Marines. As a member of Alpha Company, First Battalion, First Marines, he saw plenty of combat in Vietnam, plenty of things he would seldom discuss.
“It’s frustrating. You feel really helpless, you know, somebody you love, and they’re suffering,” said longtime friend Kay Sewell.
“What we have is the VA that’s releasing these people out here in society that need help. And the overall society is at risk in addition to these men are at risk. And there’s no reason for that,” says Buis’ attorney, John C. Taylor of Huntsville. read more here
Hello Ron! I came across this article and was amazed that I found you again. We wrote each other so often when you were in Viet Nam. I am Lance Corporal Larry Gene Clark’s sister. I still, along with my Family highly value your account of Larry’s death and the news paper pictures you sent showing us exactly what happened, as you were in the area with him and across from the actual site. I am 80 in May, I remember your Mom, and our strange meeting at Automatic Electric! You are forever in my heart Ron. I hope and pray all is well with you now, may God forever bless you! Till we meet again! 🌹🇺🇸♥️
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