JOHN R. RICHARDSON, LTJG, USN

John Richardson '60

Date of birth: February 7, 1935

Date of death: April 8, 1963

Age: 28

Lucky Bag

From the 1960 Lucky Bag:

JOHN RICHARD RICHARDSON

Wayne, Michigan

Rich, having spent his childhood in Georgia prior to making Michigan his home, was a northerner with a southern accent. He had the personality of the famed southern gentleman, a feature shown very well by the number of letters he received from girls from all parts of the country. Dick was also a marine from the word go and he intends to improve on his accomplishments gained from two and one half years of active Marine training. Rich took part wholeheartedly in company sports, being a member of the soccer, football, and baseball teams. Along with all of his activities, however, Dick never failed to save some time to apply himself in numerous church functions.

He was also a member of the Naval Academy Christian Association.

JOHN RICHARD RICHARDSON

Wayne, Michigan

Rich, having spent his childhood in Georgia prior to making Michigan his home, was a northerner with a southern accent. He had the personality of the famed southern gentleman, a feature shown very well by the number of letters he received from girls from all parts of the country. Dick was also a marine from the word go and he intends to improve on his accomplishments gained from two and one half years of active Marine training. Rich took part wholeheartedly in company sports, being a member of the soccer, football, and baseball teams. Along with all of his activities, however, Dick never failed to save some time to apply himself in numerous church functions.

He was also a member of the Naval Academy Christian Association.

Loss

From USNA '60 Memorial Site:

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Rich who was killed in an aircraft accident on board USS Saratoga (CV 60) on 8 April 1963 while operating in the Mediterranean. Although the circumstances surrounding his fateful death were not made available to us, the news was an added shock to our already grief-stricken class after the loss of our boys in THRESHER the same month. Rich’s loss is a great one to all who knew him, even as far back when he was a Marine at NAPS. We shall always remember him for his quiet, resolute and friendly manner. To his family we extend our heartfelt sympathies. Shipmate, August 1963

One report was that the "aircraft went into the water while attempting to photograph a Russian trawler."

From researcher Kathy Franz: "Survivors: father John, mother Nell, wife Patricia, daughter Laura, J. G. and Robert Richardson, and Mrs. Judith Gillen."