COURTNEY RICHARD G

LTC Richard G. Courtney was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/20/2010 at the age of 82.1
Nacogdoches, TX
Date of Birth 02/14/1928
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Served in Vietnam with HMM-163 in 67-69
This information was provided by SSN search Sep 2010

More detail on this person: Richard Granville Courtney Lieutenant Colonel Richard Granville Courtney, 82, United States Marine Corps (Retired) was born into eternal life Saturday, March 20, 2010. Visitation and rosary service for Colonel Courtney is set 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial, with Father Joseph Lourdusamy officiating, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the Moral Community; interment with full military honors following. Colonel Courtney was a native of Cale, Arkansas. He was a career military officer and a combat decorated Vietnam War veteran, having served 29 years of active and reserve duty. He was among a select few individuals who are known as "Mustangs," having risen through the ranks from enlisted to commissioned military service. Upon enlisting in the Marines as a private, he attained the rank of staff sergeant before being selected for flight school and earned his "wings" and officer's commission as a naval aviator, second lieutenant United States Marine Corps Reserve. During Colonel Courtney's military career, he was assigned to the prestigious Marine Corps Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) and flew "Marine Corps One" for Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson, and served a combat tour in Vietnam, commanding a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-163), "The Ridge Runners." Among Colonel Courtney's decorations and awards, are the Bronze Star with Combat Valor, the Purple Heart Medal, 28 Air Medals, as well as the Korean and Vietnamese Service Medals. Upon his military retirement in 1975, Colonel Courtney settled in Nacogdoches, Texas, until his last "take-off." He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of VFW Post 3893 in Nacogdoches. Colonel Courtney did not file a final "flight plan" but is survived by Terry Costello Courtney, a former spouse and Marine Corps Military Wife of the Year (1974) of Nacogdoches, Texas; a devoted daughter, Mary Courtney Silver of San Antonio, Texas; and three sons, Major Richard A. Courtney, United States Army Reserve (Retired) (SFA '81) of Nashville, Tennessee, Michael T. Courtney (SFA '78) of Garland, Texas, and Patrick A. Courtney (SFA '87) of Baytown, Texas. His prodigy also includes seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Burial information: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Nacogdoches, TX

This information was last updated 09/05/2017

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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