IN MEMORY HONOR ROLL

LTC (Ret) Edwin Lamar Richter Sr. was born 26 Jun 1934 in Galveston, Texas, the only child of Ann Josephine and Edwin Frank Richter. Following High School graduation in 1951, Ed, as his friends called him, joined the Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama 30 Jul 1952, barely 18 years old. After his first enlistment as an SFC Medic ended 13 Jul 1955, he entered reserve status. One year later Ed married the love of his life, Barbara Anne in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Their family grew as Ed continued his military education, graduating OCS 17 Dec 1957. With the Vietnam War happening, he felt compelled to defend his country again, reactivating 24 Mar 1966 as a Helicopter Pilot. Ed was deployed to Vietnam 28 Jul 1966-27 Jul 1967 with 101st ABN (Smiling Tigers), then 3 Oct 1969 -2 Oct 1970 with 1st CAV (Ghost Riders). Throughout a distinguished nearly 30-year career, Ed was assigned to 12 duty stations and awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (1st OLC), Bronze Star (1st OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd OLC), Air Medal (33 awards, 2 "V" devices), Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, including several others. He retired at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in front of his family 30 Apr 1981. Later, after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer, which was determined to be caused by Agent Orange used in Vietnam, he fought valiantly for 7 years. Lamar, as his loving wife always called him, left to be with their first child and our Lord, 7 Apr 2010, leaving behind his wife of 53 years, their 5 living children, 11 grandchildren plus 1 great grandchild. Ed was undeniably the pillar of his family, as well as his comrades!