Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1960 Lucky Bag:

JOHN RICHARD RICHARDSON

Rich, having spent his childhood in Georgia prior to making Michigan his home, was a northerner with a southern accent. He had the personality of the famed southern gentleman, a feature shown very well by the number of letters he received from girls from all parts of the country. Dick was also a marine from the word go and he intends to improve on his accomplishments gained from two and one half years of active Marine training. Rich took part wholeheartedly in company sports, being a member of the soccer, football, and baseball teams. Along with all of his activities, however, Dick never failed to save some time to apply himself in numerous church functions.

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He was also a member of the Naval Academy Christian Association.

Loss

John was lost on April 8, 1963 when his RF-8A Crusader crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Oran, Algeria. He was a member of Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) 62, operating from USS Saratoga (CV 60).

Other Information

From USNA ‘60 Memorial Site¹:

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Rich who was killed in an aircraft accident on board USS Saratoga (CV 60) on 8 April 1963 while operating in the Mediterranean. Although the circumstances surrounding his fateful death were not made available to us, the news was an added shock to our already grief-stricken class after the loss of our boys in THRESHER the same month. Rich’s loss is a great one to all who knew him, even as far back when he was a Marine at NAPS. We shall always remember him for his quiet, resolute and friendly manner. To his family we extend our heartfelt sympathies. Shipmate, August 1963

One report was that the “aircraft went into the water while attempting to photograph a Russian trawler.”

A photograph of his exact aircraft (Bu. 144612) is available at Warbirds Resource Group.

From Virginia Beach Sun-News on April 30, 1963 via Find A Grave:

Funeral for Lt. Richardson, USN, who was killed April 8 when his plane from the Carrier Saratoga crashed near Oran, Algeria, was held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Protestant Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery.

Lt. Richardson was the husband of Mrs. Patricia H. Richardson, of 859 Josephine Crescent, Virginia Beach, and son of John R. and Mrs. Nell Montgomery Richardson of South Lyone[Lyon], Mich. He was a graduate from the Naval Academy in 1960.

Others surviving are a daughter, Laura Richardson of Virginia Beach, a brother, Robert B. Richardson, and a sister, Mrs. Judith N. Gillen, both of Wayne, Mich.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

John was born in Oklahoma, and in 1940, he lived in Birmingham City, Alabama. His father, born in Arkansas, was district supervisor of sales for the federal tax service. His mother Nell was also born in Arkansas. His sister was Judith born in Texas, and his brother was Robert B. born in Alabama.

In 1950, John lived with his family in Fairborn City, Georgia.

He married Patricia Ann Hamilton at the Naval Academy chapel in 1960.

John is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

Source

Source

From The Virginia Pilot on August 30, 1960

References