More detail on this person: Richard R. Raysik (Rick) was born in Philadelphia, PA, on December 27, 1940. He began his military career with an Air Force enlistment in July 1958. After completing Aircraft Mechanic School, he worked as a crew chief until January, 1961, when he was sent to Japan as a flight engineer. He performed duties as a Flight Engineer through 1966 on Medivac and C-124 Globe Master aircraft, in addition to aircraft which filmed missile launches. From 1966 to 1967, he served in Vietnam on armed C-47s, Puff the Magic-Dragon. After transitioning to the U.S. Army in 1967, Richard completed the Warrant Officer Training Courses, flight school, and the OH-6 Instructor Pilot Course in 1972. He was assigned to Vietnam again in 1972 as a squad leader and OH-6 instructor pilot. His 30 Year military career continued at various military airfield bases, with his last tour spanned many years in Germany as an instructor pilot, Standardization Officer, and Airfield Commander. CW4 (Ret.) Richard Raysik's awards and decorations include: The Legion of Merit Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two (2) Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with "V" Device (distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat), ten (10) Air Medals, two (2) Army Commendation Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, three (3) Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, two (2) National Defense Service Medals, two (2) Vietnam Service Medals, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Military Achievement Medal for Operation Desert Storm, the Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal, and many not listed. Upon moving back to the United States, Rick continued to fly helicopters as a civilian which included the FireStar Orange County, FL, rescue helicopter; as well as many contract flights, flights for various movie productions, St James Water Line flights, realtor and land development flights, firefighting flights (wildfires), and donor flights to various hospitals, just to name a few - to include the christening of the Walt Disney Dream Cruise Ship (flying helicopter with the large champagne bottle on a line). Rick was an honorable, humble, caring, and honest man, who loved God and his family with all his heart. Rick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna; his son Richard & his wife Sarah, and his daughter Natasha & her son Ryan (his Grandson and best buddy). He passed away on February 2, 2021, surrounded by his family at his side as he entered eternity and is now with his beloved Lord and Savior. He was a true warrior and our hero.
This information was last updated 07/31/2021
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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