United States Coast Guardsman. He was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action in Vietnam, and the only one who remained unaccounted for after the war's end. He died in a fatal crash just two months into his volunteer service as an exchange pilot with the Air Force. He and three Air Force crewmen were trying to rescue a downed and injured Marine pilot in Laos. His Jolly Green Giant helicopter made two passes before it was riddled with enemy bullets. It was shot down and consumed by fire within 30 seconds, according to crewmen on companion copters. While 8,000 Coast Guardsmen served in Vietnam, only seven died and only one, Rittichier, did not come home. The Coast Guard named buildings in Detroit and in Portsmouth, Virginia, in his memory. Virtually every air base erected a plaque. The Coast Guard added to the large number of honors that he earned in his lifetime with the posthumous Silver Star and Purple Heart. Web sites sprang up in his memory. A Naval League Cadet Corps in Colts Neck, New Jersey, was named for him. He was buried at Coast Guard Hill, in an area normally reserved for the top officials. A Commandant gave up his spot so that he might be buried there.
United States Coast Guardsman. He was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action in Vietnam, and the only one who remained unaccounted for after the war's end. He died in a fatal crash just two months into his volunteer service as an exchange pilot with the Air Force. He and three Air Force crewmen were trying to rescue a downed and injured Marine pilot in Laos. His Jolly Green Giant helicopter made two passes before it was riddled with enemy bullets. It was shot down and consumed by fire within 30 seconds, according to crewmen on companion copters. While 8,000 Coast Guardsmen served in Vietnam, only seven died and only one, Rittichier, did not come home. The Coast Guard named buildings in Detroit and in Portsmouth, Virginia, in his memory. Virtually every air base erected a plaque. The Coast Guard added to the large number of honors that he earned in his lifetime with the posthumous Silver Star and Purple Heart. Web sites sprang up in his memory. A Naval League Cadet Corps in Colts Neck, New Jersey, was named for him. He was buried at Coast Guard Hill, in an area normally reserved for the top officials. A Commandant gave up his spot so that he might be buried there.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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