Honoring Service: Fallen Veteran Richard Everett Hanley, Vietnam War
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Richard Everett Hanley, born on January 18, 1938 in Harrison, was the son of Augustus and Ethel Carpenter Hanley. He grew up in Rye, alongside his sisters Caroline and Ruth, and his brother Ralph. The family resided at 8 Ridgeland Manor and were members of Christ’s Church.
Date of Birth: Jan 18,1938
Died On: November 1, 1963- Frankfurt, Germany
Street Address: 8 Ridgeland Manor
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Richard graduated from Rye High School as part of the Class of 1956. He furthered his education at the Academy of Aeronautics LaGuardia Airfield LL and obtained an associate’s degree in mechanical technology from Westchester Community College in 1960.
Before joining the military, Richard worked as a mechanic at Arnold Bakers in Port Chester and as a mechanical engineer at Adler Electronics in New Rochelle. He was an active member of various organizations, including Christ’s Church Rye (Episcopal), the Rye YMCA, the National Rifle Association, the Alumni of Rye High School, and the Alumni of Westchester Community College.
On April 4, 1961, Richard enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Dix, NJ. He underwent training at the Army Signal Training Center in Fort Gordon, GA, completing the radio relay and carrier operation course. Over the course of eight weeks, he received instruction on operating and maintaining radio relay systems and carrier equipment.
Subsequently, Richard was deployed to Germany on September 4, 1961, where he served as a Specialist 4th Class in Company B of the 32nd Signal Battalion.
Tragically, at the age of 25, Richard Everett Hanley lost his life due to head injuries sustained in a car accident in Frankfort, Germany, on November 1, 1963.
His body was transported back to Rye with a military escort and entrusted to the care of the William H. Graham Funeral Home by the U.S. Air Force. Funeral services were conducted at Christ’s Church by Reverend Dr. Wendell Phillips, and Richard was laid to rest with full military honors at Greenwood Union Cemetery.
Richard was survived by his mother, along with his sister, Caroline Gertrude Hanley of Rye, his brother, Ralph A. Hanley of Port Chester, and his nephews Jeffrey and Scott, as well as his niece Deborah. More on Hanley.
