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Although John didn't have a senior class picture in the 1968 yearbook, John Richards let us know that he was in a couple of athlete team photos (thanks, John!):
1. From the 1968 Varsity Football Team picture
2. From the 1968 Varsity Track Team picture
John Richards also forwarded the following information update on his friend:
John William Lynch III, KIA 01/05/71
His plaque on The Wall is at 05W-027
"He is buried at The Punch Bowl in Honolulu, a military cemetary with an incredible view-I visited him about 20 years ago."
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John Richards
Killed in Vietnam helicopter accident, January, 1971.John Richards
Here is the official version of the "accident":
PILOT CALLED THE TOWER FOR TAKEOFF CLEARANCE AT 1930 HOURS TO CONDUCT A NIGHT TEST FLIGHT TO DETERMINE IF CHANGING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD ELIMINATED THE 1 TO 1 VERTICAL VIBRATION NOTED IN THE 2408-13. HE REQUESTED CLOSED TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 05 RIGHT, AND COMPLETED ONE LOW APPOOACH PAST THE TOWER. AFTERWARDS, THE PILOT REQUESTED THE SECOND ONE AND HE WAS CLEARED TO CONTINUE. THIS PROTION OF THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL. AS HE PASSED THE TOWER FOR THE SECOND TIME, HIS ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 80 FEET AGL AND AIRSPEED IN EXCESS OF 80 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT INITIATED A SHARP LEFT CLIMBING TURN TO THE CROSSWIND WHEN SUDDENLY UPON REACHING APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL A BRIEF EXPLETIVE WAS HEARD OVER THE TOWER RADIO AND THE ALTITUDE DROPPED SEVERELY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TURNED 180 DEGREES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND, NOSE FIRST, AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 80 DEGREES, AND IT NEVER ROLLED OUT OF THE TURN. THE AIRSPEED AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT AS SHOWN ON THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS 130 KNOTS AND THE TIME WAS 1940 HOURS. THE FUSELAGE BURST INTO A BALL OF FLAMES AND BURNED COMPLETELY. ALL THREE OCCUPANTS WERE KILLED FROM CONTACT INJURIES INCURRED FROM THE CRASH LANDING. THEIR BODIES WERE LATER RECOVERED.
Note that the date was January 5, less than two months after I spent a few days with him prior to being discharged. John took me up in his chopper at that time (I don't know if it was the same one). His crew chief and gunner were also on board and were killed. The Army placed the "cost" at $375,215.00.