RIKE JAMES CLIFFORD

COL James Clifford Rike was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/03/1998 at the age of 80.1 from Pnuemonia
Annandale, VA
Date of Birth 08/13/1918
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by James Trainor, obit from Washington Post

More detail on this person: James Clifford Rike, 80 James C. Rike, 80, retired Army colonel Washington Times, The (DC) - Wednesday, October 7, 1998 James Clifford Rike, 80, a retired Army colonel, died after a long illness Oct. 3 at Fairfax Hospital. Col. Rike was born in Bridgeport, Texas, and grew up in Breckenridge, Texas. He enlisted in the Army the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was a glider pilot, cross-trained in aviation, who became a master aviator, qualified to fly all military aircraft of the time. Col. Rike was one of three survivors among 27 glider pilots who participated in the Belgium Race for the Rhine. He was flying fuel to Gen. George S. Patton in Germany and wounded soldiers from the German front to field hospitals in France when he met Capt. Dolores Dilger, a flight nurse. The two married in 1951. He served two tours of duty in Korea and two in Vietnam. Decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Honor, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with three Bronze Arrow Heads and 21 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, former president of the Northern Virginia Youth Symphony, former treasurer of the Fairfax Ballet and a devoted supporter of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Annandale. His hobbies included politics and gardening. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Dolores, of Annandale; six sons, James Rike Jr. of Burke, Joseph P. Rike of Bryan, Texas, Thomas M. Rike of Leesburg, Va., John M. Rike of Clifton, Robert A. Rike of Fredericksburg, Va., and Richard E. Rike of Charlottesville; three daughters, Suzan Blazy of Fairfax Station, Sally Hart of Charlottesville and Mary Jane Schon of Philadelphia; a sister, Jo Ann Rike of Dallas; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Burial is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Oct. 15 at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Myositis Association of America, 600-D University Blvd. Suite 104, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801.

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 04/21/2020

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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