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deceased Quang Tri VietNam March 18, 1969 Multi Fragment wounds Los Angeles National Cemetery Section 238 Row X Site 9
Richard Wesley Stitt
He was a Vietnam War Era casualty on March 18, 1969. ★ He served with honor in the United States Marine Corps. ★ Remembered by the people of California ★ May his example inspire us to be strong and responsible global citizens. We can do great things. Together.
LEARN MORE
Private First Class Stitt is memorialized with +1 day of Honor Water. Thanks to Balboa Park Veterans Museum for this positive action.
Richard Wesley Stitt
▼ STATE OVERVIEW
California
Richard Wesley Stitt is among the 33,437 American Gold Star casualties recorded in our archive with close ties to California. This is a substantial number of individuals who gave their lives in service to their country.
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SERVICE OVERVIEW
Name Richard Wesley Stitt
From Los Angeles County, California
Born March 10, 1950
Death March 18, 1969
War Vietnam War
Branch US Marine Corps
Rank Private First Class
Specialty Rifleman
Group 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, G Company
Cause Hostile, Killed in Action
Awarded
★ Purple Heart
ORIGINS
Richard Wesley Stitt was born on March 10, 1950. According to our records California was his home or enlistment state and Los Angeles County included within the archival record. We have Paramount listed as the city.
SERVICE
He had enlisted in the Marine Corps. Entered via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on December 17, 1968. He had the rank of Private First Class. Occupation or specialty was Rifleman. Service number was 2497237. Served with 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, G Company.
CASUALTY
Stitt experienced a traumatic event which resulted in loss of life on March 18, 1969. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "Died through hostile action, multiple fragmentation wounds". Incident location: South Vietnam, Quang Tri province.
DETAILS
Richard Wesley Stitt graduated from Paramount High School in 1968. He was killed when the ambush squad he was with detonated an NVA ammo truck on Route 9, near the Khe Sanh Airfield. He died 8 days after his birthday. He had been in Vietnam for 3 months and 1 day.
REMEMBERED
Richard Wesley Stitt is buried or memorialized at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. This is a National American Cemetery administered through the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Richard is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 29w, Line 73.
COMMENDATIONS
★ Purple Heart
★ Combat Action Ribbon
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
★ Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
★ Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
PLEASE NOTE THIS MIGHT NOT BE A COMPLETE OR COMPLETELY ACCURATE ACCOUNTING. FOR SOME AWARDS WE USE PROBABILITIES BASED ON KNOWN SERVICE DETAILS.
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Sheila (Suzi) Marie Brose (Purvis)
I did not know Richard but I truly "Thank you for your service to our country and protecting our freedom." Rest in the arms of our precious LORD.
Mark Overstreet
I had Richard in serveral classes, 11th grade English was one of them. He sat near me and we talked. Probably more than we should have. I got to know him as the year progresses and we "hung" out in the patio area during lunch time. I had different groups that I'd hang with and Richard would come over and join in. Paramount had a small population of students so most people knew each other. He was usually quiet. He played football and was very proud of that. I remember the time he got some glasses with thick reams and felt a little self-concious about wearing them. I don't recall him talking about joining the military. I've thought about him for the last 45 years and spoke about him in one of my Memorial Day speeches. He was young. His family would never get to share Christmas or Thanksgiving with him again. He would never have a wife or children.
Will anyone ever read this? Who will remember him?
God Bless Richard
William Bill Bailey
RICHARD & I WERE FRIENDS FROM 4TH GRADE ON. HE LIVED 3 BLOCKS AWAY. WE USED TO PLAY TOGETHER WHEN WE WERE LITTLE. VERY FOND MEMORIES WITH RICHARD. I REMEMBER HIS DAD GOT A NEW 1958 CHEV. THAT WAS VERY KOOL AT THE TIME.
Carol Maddex (Switzer)
I had the privilege to go to Washington DC a few years back. My husband was a Vietnam Veteran so going to the Wall Memorial was a very emotional time for both of us since we both lived through that time. With the help of a Park Ranger I was able to take a rubbing of Richards name on the wall. When I returned home I called Richards mother and told her I had been to the wall and found Richards name. She was so thankful I had taken the time to call her and share what I had experienced. She told me at one time she was very angery for what had happened to her son but as years passed she is most grateful to share with others and what they have to share about Richard. I ask if she had ever been to DC to see the wall, but at the time she had not, but many friends had and were so gracious to share their experiences with her. Hopefully one day she was able to see this DC Memorial Wall or the Traveling Wall which is idenical to the original. Richard rest in peace. We shall never forget what you sacrificed for our freedom.
In Loving Memory
Mark Overstreet
I was glad to see your posts, William and Carol. Years ago my family visited the Memorial and I looked up Richard and few other friends. It was an emotional experience.
God Bless us all.
William Bill Bailey
WE HAD THE TRAVELING MEMORIAL WALL COME TO REDDING,CA. I SAW RICHARD'S NAME AND 1 OTHER CLASS MATE, ROBERT JACKSON. I WAS IN AWE OF THE DISPLAY. THEY HAD A HUEY HELICOPTER AND ALOT OF MEMORABILIA FROM VIETNAM.
Joe Dell Wood
As a Sgt in the US Marine Corp,Richard was a brother in arms and as proud as I am to have served,I know he would have been proud also.I to am a Veitnam Vet and feel very blessed that my name is not on the Wall of Heros that gave it all for our still great country that we live in.When visting the Wall,I allways go to his name and touch all the other names that gave so much in a time when it was'nt as heroic as it is now.Veitnam sucked putting it bluttly but we went as did Richard and he will always be remembered to me as the bud I went to school with,was a Marine buddy and didnt make it home alive.
I hope everyone who is on here, and I know I don't get on that much,when you see someone who is in the military,that you Thank them for ther service,I know I sure do.
Hope all is well with everyone and God Bless....
Joe Wood
Sgt US Marine Corp
Don Deyne
I am NOT a Viet Nam Veteran. I AM a Viet Nam ERA Veteran. Had I gotten one of my first two choices when I enlisted in the Air Force, Viet Nam would have been my FIRST duty station. To Joe and all who served in-country "THANK YOU". To those who GAVE ALL thank you just doesn't seem strong enough. These are my heros. Those who gave so much more than I. ALL GAVE SOME - SOME GAVE ALL
Don Deyne
MSgt USAF (Retired)
Patricia Hamilton (Denham)
If you ever get to Sacramento there is a California memorial for our fallen California soldiers. It's in the park by the capital building. I visited there years ago. It was the most emotional experience. A feeling I can't even discribe.
Don Deyne