Born:                             9 December 1917                   

Enlistment date:            16 January 1936

Deployments:                Panama and Europe

Units:                             K Company, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division; 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion; 82nd Airborne Division; 187th Airborne Regiment; 542nd MP Company.

Rank:                             Major

Specialisations:           Parachutist

Qualifications:             Parachute Wings, Combat Infantryman Badge

Decorations:                  Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Discharge Date:            30 June 1955

Deceased:                      29 October 2011

Other Information:        The officers and men of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion were pioneers of the airborne warfare as we know today. The 551st made the first daylight combat jump in airborne history in Southern France in August 1944 and were in constant contact with the enemy for 98 days. In the Battle of the Bulge the battalion distinguished itself but paid a very heavy price. Richard was one of the few lucky ones who survived but spent 3 months in hospital. After WWII, Richard served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Korea from 1951-1952.  Richard is buried at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Oklahoma.