This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Chris Starks
to remember
Whitteker, Richard Lee, Capt.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Richard Lee Whitteker served as a Captain - Grade 03 - Air Force Reserves. He was 29 years old at the time of his death. Richard (Red) as he was called, was born on Febuary 7, 1939 in Easton, Pennsylvania. Richard served with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. Captain Whitteker was lost, together with his back-seater, 1Lt James L. Badley, while engaging an enemy convoy of vehicles, over North Vietnam, coordinates 171954 North, 1061214 East, 27 March 1968.
Captain Whitteker was a member of 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On March 27, 1968, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) flying over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were not recovered.
This Veteran has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii with another memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Richard served his country and flag with distinction and valor. Richard flew 105 Combat missions over North Vietnam. For his service to his Flag, Country, and the United States Air Force, Richard earned the following awards: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart - for wounds received in action, The Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defence Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal, The Republic of Vietnam, Gallentry Cross with Palm
