TIERNEY RICHARD D

1LT Richard D. Tierney was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/24/2005 at the age of 59.5 from Cancer
Krebs, OK
Flight Classes 68-520 and 68-36
Date of Birth 02/08/1946
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 240 AHC in 69-70
Call signs in Vietnam KENNEL KEEPER 6, GREYHOUND 007
This information was provided by Jim Carroll Jones

More detail on this person: Richard Dale Tierney 08 February 1946 - 24 July 2005

Born in Gridley, California, passed away in Rancho Cordova California Veterans Administration Hospital after suffering from multiple cancers. He had attended Manzanita Grammar School and graduated from Gridley Union High School at Gridley California in 1964.

He was drafted into the US Army on 26 July 1966, did his Basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was a Drill Corporal at Tiger Land at Fort Polk. In April 1967, he attended the Artillery Officer Candidate School, Class 1967-36B (Foxtrot Battery) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, graduated and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 26 September 1967. He remained at Fort Sill with the 295th Aviation Company, until April 1968, when he attended Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Class 68-36 (Grey Hats) at Fort Walter, Texas, and was awarded his Solo Wings in August 1968. He continued Advanced Training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Class 68-520, and graduated in December 1968. He was Promoted to First Lieutenant on 26 September 1968.

Tierney served in Vietnam from 21 January 1969 to 21 August 1970, with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company at Bear Cat. His call signs were Greyhound 16, Greyhound 16-007, Greyhound 25 and Kennelkeeper 6. He flew Charlie, Delta and Hotel model Huey Helicopters, and as Maintenance Officer he flew the A & B Cobras. He was promoted to Captain on 26 September 1969. During his Army Service he was awarded Army Aviation Badge; Civic Action Honor Medal, 1st Class; Bronze Star; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star; Thai and Cambodia Medals aren't listed.

Upon returning to the United States, Tierney attended the Field Artillery Officer Advance Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. As the war in Vietnam wound down, troop strength was reduced in force and Tierney separated from the US Army on 30 June 1972.

Tierney married Shirley Ann Holton of Ohio on 08 June 1970. Son Richard Russell Tierney was born 19 May 1972. Daughter Kiera Dawn Tierney was born 01 December 1975.

Tierney worked, managed and owned various businesses during his career, to include Sears, Jack in the Box in Northern California; Label's Delicatessen in San Francisco; Gunsmithing in Murphys, CA; several Overhead Door Repair Service businesses in the Sacramento area; G & D Plastics, and Mathew's Lounge in Mountain View, CA; Lawson Sheet Metal in Krebs, Oklahoma.

Tierney is survived by his wife Shirley Tierney of Sacramento, son Rusty and granddaughter Jesse of Krebs, OK; daughter Kiera and grandsons Seth, Wyatt and Gavin of Elk Grove, CA; mother Ellen Faye Tierney Jacquot of Gridley, CA; brother Delbert Tierney of Pacifica, CA; sister Ellen Tierney Anderson of Casper, CA; half siblings Bruce Jacquot and Renee Robinson; Tierney was predeceased by his half sibling Douglas Jacquot.

He is survived by former wife Lana Boyer, son Brian Tierney (29 April 1965), grandchildren Courtney, Chloe and Cody of Bellingham, Washington.

Tierney is also survived by his father-in-law Russell Lee Holton of Sacramento, CA; in-laws Kathy Fox of OK; John Holton of Sacramento, CA, and Debbie and Owen George of Wilton, CA; many nieces and nephews and cousins. And many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donation to your favorite charity or the Cancer Society.

May God Bless.

From: Jim Carroll Jones, 1LT Arty (Ret), Classes 68-36 (Grey Hats), 68-520, Captain Magic

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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