Victor L. Richard, Sr. (USMC)

US Marine Corps Aircraft Repair Squadron 17, Buck Sergeant

Went to Korea (via Japan)—January 1954

Departed Korea (via Japan)—May1955

Victor was 17 years old and still in high school when he joined Marine Reserve Fighter Squadron VMF143. He took basic training in Louisiana, and on May 1953, he went on active duty and was sent to Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, NC. Every Marine is a rifle man. but after two weeks on the rifle range Victor qualified as a rifle sharpshooter. He was in Cherry Point about six months, and was then sent to El Toro California Marine Corps Air Station for one week. From there, he was put on a train with 1700 Marines to San Diego to be sent as “draft replacement” headed for Korea and Japan. They were issued an M1 rifle, backpack, canteen and other gear. They boarded an attack transport ship—a hard trip with many men getting seasick. They ran out of fresh water and had to take showers in sea water, using Lava soap.

From Yokohama, Japan, they took a truck to Kobi. From there Victor was transferred to Atami Air force Base where he was assigned to a guard duty for one month, after which he was sent to K-3 in Pohang, Korea, for two weeks of clerical school. About six months later, their Marine Aircraft Repair Squadron 17 was moved to Iwakuni, Japan. Victor was assigned as unit diary and payroll clerk, and was promoted to Buck Sergeant. Occasionally, he would fly as armed courier to deliver mail, aircraft parts, and personnel to various bases like K-3 in Pohang, Korea and K-16 in Seoul, Korea.

Victor in Korea, 1954

Victor flew from Iwakuni, Japan to Moffett Field, California, and then to New Orleans. He was discharged on May 12, 1955 from New Orleans Naval Air Station on the lakefront, now the University of New Orleans.

Victor, whose birthday is July 19, 1933, is married for 62 years to Antoinette, or Toni, and has three adult children: Toni in Kenner, LA, Victor in Florida, and Alison in Gretna, LA. At the time of this conversation he was 85 years old and in excellent health, still working as an accountant, preparing many documents during tax season. He is a lifetime member of KWVA.

Bill with his wife, Antoinette, and daughter Toni

Victor at the Korean War Memorial Service, 2019