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<p>Lieutenant Colonel <em>Henry Bessemer “Hank” Richmond III</em> was born on January 1, 1947 in Charleston, WV. He was the son of Henry B. Richmond Jr. and Irene Diefenbach Richmond. Hank’s father was a chemist, drafted as a civilian in World War II, and was part of the team that developed the world’s first synthetic rubber, which helped to win the war. Hank’s grandfather, Henry B. Richmond Sr., was a doughboy, U.S. Army Infantry in World War I, who fought in France. </p>
<p>Early in Hank’s life the family moved to Texas, which Hank always considered home. As a 10-year-old in Port Arthur, he watched the TV series “West Point Story” every Friday night with his younger brother, John, and decided he liked the cadet life. He earned Eagle Scout at the age of 12. The family later moved to LaGrange, IL, where Hank excelled in sports and academics. He was dubbed the “halfback of the physics class” in high school, and one of his local football rivals, Jim O’Toole, would later become a Black Knight teammate. Although Hank was recruited by Navy and other colleges, the die was cast early for him—he wanted to be a West Pointer.</p>
<p>Hank’s classmates have described him as kind and helpful, tough, and cheerful—a remarkable man. Hank played defense on the “A” squad Army Football Team and won three Brigade Heavyweight Wrestling championships. His decision to study the Russian language strained his academic career, but he passed his courses with help from generous classmates. Hank excelled at tactical training and upon graduation was commissioned as an Infantry officer.</p>
<p>When Hank entered the Academy in 1965, he said Vietnam was not on his radar. By the following year, he began to experience the grievous loss of classmates, recent graduates, being killed in combat in Vietnam and returning to West Point for burial. Hank served in Vietnam with the 40th ARVN Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, in the 40th RCAT, Regimental Combat Assistance Team, at LZ English, in 1971-72. He deployed in the jungles around the region, fighting alongside Vietnamese soldiers. His awards include the Bronze Star, Bronze Star with “V” device, and the Air Medal (with four oak leaf clusters). </p>
<p>Hank served in uniform for 26 years, which included 10 years’ service in West Germany as a 3rd Infantry Division platoon leader, Schweinfurt; 3-6th Infantry Regiment company commander, Berlin Brigade; general’s aide-de-camp, Worms; 10th Special Forces A-team commander, Bad T<span style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">ö</span>lz; staff officer HQ USAREUR, DCSOPS, Heidelberg; 1-36th Infantry Regiment battalion executive officer, Friedberg; and 3rd Armored Division G-5, Frankfurt. </p>
<p>As aide-de-camp, attending the 30th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy, France, Hank met Claude Rozet, the president of the Franco-American Friendship Club of Central France. Hank and Claude would become lifelong friends. A year later, in 1975, Hank met Patty Hanson in Munich, Germany, and they became lifelong sweethearts. They married in 1978.</p>
<p>Hank earned a M.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1981, while serving as an assistant professor of military science. Hank also became a foreign area officer for Central Europe during that time.</p>
<p>Hank served for 21 years at the Pentagon, both in uniform and as a defense contractor—on the Army Staff, on the Joint Staff (J-5) under General Colin Powell, and for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. </p>
<p>As a Green Beret A-team leader, Hank developed a deep appreciation for non-commissioned officers. As an aide-de-camp to a lieutenant general, he learned how to work comfortably with officers of the highest rank. These skills served Hank throughout his career and contributed to his reputation at the Pentagon as an effective officer, involved in more projects and missions than can be related here. John Nilon, a fellow officer and longtime friend, aptly described Hank’s work ethic as “selfless and magnanimous.” </p>
<p>Hank retired in 2007. He and Patty moved to Patty’s home state of Michigan. Hank became a member and volunteer in the veteran’s group Lest We Forget and in the Lion’s Club. He also enjoyed more time playing golf and traveling with Patty. Hank and Patty had no children, but Hank set the example of military service for two of their nephews, Michael, and Luke Richmond, who are both serving careers in the U.S. Navy.</p>
<p>In 2014, after a lifetime of vigorous health, Hank suddenly fell ill with massive heart failure. His condition was fatal. Hank received open-heart surgery to permanently install a mechanical heart pump, a left ventricular assist device, allowing him to recover and enjoy a normal life for another five years. In May 2019, Hank and Patty joined 400 classmates from the Class of 1969 for their 50th reunion, a highlight of which was the Saturday night party featuring their class band, B. Arnold, and the Traitors. Hank and Patty danced to every song.</p>
<p>Hank passed away on December 6, 2019, two days after suffering a stroke. He lived to the fullest to the end of his life.</p>
<p>One of Hank’s favorite projects in Lest We Forget was coordinating a veteran-taught course about the Vietnam War at Lake Michigan College. Hank used all his military background and expertise to organize and prepare his fellow veterans to speak publicly about their experiences in war. Many veterans told their stories for the first time. The classes were very moving and educational, and the lecture hall was filled with attendees of all backgrounds and ages. As Hank wrote, “It has been comforting to work with military people and veterans with like values—folks that you can trust and depend upon. Now in retirement, I am still guided by Duty, Honor, Country.”</p>
<p><em>— Patty Richmond, John Richmond, family, and friends</em></p>
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