<div>
"Never asking more than he is willing to give himself, no more can be said but he is a true man and true friend.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
These words from the 1967 <em>HOWITZER </em>summed up how Rick approached life both at West Point and as a combat leader in Vietnam. Rick died as a result of injuries when he was struck by the rotor blades of a scout helicopter which he was guiding into his unit’s forward position. Rick was always stepping forward to give himself to tasks which were not his responsibility to perform. Rick had preplanned his life from his early youth to his more aggressive young manhood when he fulfilled his goal upon entering West Point.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick, better known to his West Point classmates and friends as “Rit,” was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, on 8 May 1943. Rick was always an aggressive young man in accepting all challenges. He manifested love and compassion for his fellow men, personal friends, and family. He worked hard, he took on all comers, avoided the pitfalls that trapped many less dedicated individuals, appreciated knowledge and its importance, believed in both physical and mental fitness in order to achieve his goals in life. These character traits enabled Rick to effectively handle the mental problems that faced him as a youth so that he could achieve his ultimate goals and fulfillments. Rick was a driver, very forward, yet he never was selfish in that he was always able to lend a hand to anyone that needed his help. Rick lived and practiced this credo based on his belief in his family, country, and his God.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick’s desire to attend West Point began at the age of ten when he decided that this was to be his ambition in life. His family, realizing Rick’s love of the Military Academy, made it a yearly ritual to visit West Point, its grounds and buildings, which provided an opportunity to absorb its traditions.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick was a graduate of New Canaan High School. He was the president of the National Honor Society’s local chapter, a member of the Athletic Society, and president of the school's Letterman’s Club. He participated in Varsity football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. He was designated all-State in football in his junior year and in basketball in his senior year. He attended Wesleyan University on the early admission plan. He received his appointment to West Point by Representative Abner W. Sibal. Rick had entered Wesleyan University on a four-year scholarship where he participated in all sports. Rick was selected for this appointment based on the recommendation of a panel which determined that Rick had qualities and attributes to be admitted to the Military Academy, serve the Army and his country over all other applicants. Rick had again surmounted high odds to come out on top in the pursuit of his lifetime goal. Rick was a member of the C3 Company and was known throughout his four years at the Academy as a sincere and open-minded individual. Rick excelled in the social sciences and tolerated what he called the "exact" sciences. He was active in the Debating Society, Ring and Crest Committee, Dialectic Society, the Newman Forum, the <em>HOWITZER</em> Staff, and the Culture Club. He participated in baseball during his Second and First Class years.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Upon graduation, Rick attended the combat platoon leader’s course at The Infantry School followed by successfully completing Ranger training. Rick then served at Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg and then was ordered to join the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) which was operating in Quang Tri Province in Vietnam. Rick was first assigned as the Reconnaissance Platoon Leader of the 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, and performed in an outstanding manner as the leader of this organization during operations in Quang Tri province. During this period, Rick’s great professionalism and leadership abilities were manifested during intense independent small unit operations. Rick’s concern for what was right for the Vietnamese people was exemplified in his refusal to tolerate any abuse and destruction of the Vietnamese people and their properties by not only his own troopers, but by those of the Arms', Republic of Vietnam units.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Based on his outstanding performance, Rick was selected to be the Executive Officer of Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry. Rick’s service in this assignment can be described as outstanding in every respect. He was respected by the troopers in the company as an officer who was concerned for their welfare, stood for and exhibited high standards and ideals in his dealings with them, and could be counted on in a combat situation. His company commander describes Rick as a "great soldier and friend who was admired by all troopers in his company."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
While performing duties in this capacity, Rick’s untimely death occurred when he moved forward to guide a scout helicopter forced to land in his company’s forward position due to severe weather conditions. The helicopter pilot lost control of his aircraft after he touched down and when it pitched forward, Rick was struck by the rotor blades. Another helicopter flew him to the evacuation hospital in Quang Tri. The effort proved futile as Rick died enroute. In keeping with the Army tradition of honoring fallen comrades, a memorial service was held for Rick in the forward position of the 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry. Father Black, Battalion Chaplain, conducted the service with dignity and compassion, as he also was Rick’s good friend.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick would have gone far in the Service if he had lived to accomplish all his aspirations. He was a West Pointer, a man of his family, God and his country. He was a man of his own convictions. His parents recall their son Richard in this way, not only as a son but a brother who was a man in his own right who always looked objectively both inwardly and to others with whom he came in contact. He built his character around the concern and the rights of others not only to better himself but to better all with whom he came in contact. His life ended at a young age, yet he fulfilled more than most young men are able to do. He achieved youthful ambitions, demonstrated concern for his fellow men, conducted his life with firm convictions which enabled him to overcome mental and physical hurdles that confronted him. He died with honor for himself, his family, his country, and the Corps. He died with the creed of West Point’s "Flying High,” with that drive of life which he exhibited so that others may live in freedom and not repression and under suppression of any alienated outside force.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick’s family also contributed greatly in keeping with his high ideals and dedication to duty and country. His brothers, David E. and Peter H., were in the Air Force when Rick was killed in Vietnam. His sister Terry Lynn joined the Air Force after Rick's funeral and burial at West Point. She joined the Air Force not only to support her country but to help complete Rick’s mission, which he so strongly believed in, as well as those of her brothers who were serving their country. Rick’s mother personifies one of those gallant women who raised their sons and daughters to have high ideals and dedication to their family, God and country. Rick’s father also had served with the Combat Engineers in Italy during World War II. Rit’s youngest brother, Alfred L., is also in the Air Force since 3 June 1976 a whole service family).</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Rick’s family, despite their grief and anguish, state that "our beloved son will always be with us in death as he was in life. We revere our family as a unit to love, protect. and help all that is in need of protection, love and divine guidance." They are very proud to speak of Rick in death or in life by saying, "Life is but for a moment, yet death is eternal life.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<em>—Mr. and Mrs. Edgar P. Bickford, Colonel James W. Dinucnmn, Commander, 2d Bn. 12th Can. 1st Cav Div (AM), 1968-1969</em></div>