Richard Leroy EndicottCullum: 25761 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: B2 Date of Birth: November 14, 1942 Date of Death: April 30, 1968 - in Vietnam due to hostile actionAge: 25 years, 6 months and 16 days young. Interred: Highland Cemetery, Casper, Wyoming - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Dick WAS A PROUD AND HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. Duty, Honor,
Country were not just words; they were his life, and he gave meaning to
them for all who were privileged to know him. He was a very special
person. Nothing was ever done part way; he gave his very best whether
fighting a battle, pulling a rip-cord, listening to a concert, or
discussing philosophy in a drawing room. Climbing his Wyoming hills,
searching for traces of ancient man, it was never “how far down below”
he was, but “how near the top.” Reading was always one of his greatest
pleasures, and an honest belief or opinion was worth his consideration
even if he disagreed with it. Guns were not only part of his profession
but a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed.
It was not a world of yesterdays for Dick but of todays and tomorrows. He not only had great faith and confidence but was able to share this with others. His was a helping hand when the going was rough; leading, guiding, never impatient, always looking ahead.
To each of us who knew him Dick was wise and understanding beyond his years, sincere, dedicated to his ideals and firm in his beliefs. Not content to follow the crowds, nor influenced by the whim of others, he was a unique individualist who took his honored place in the Long Gray Line with his head held high.
In his teen-age years he was active in Civil Air Patrol and was awarded an exchange trip to England in 1960 for being the outstanding cadet from the state of Wyoming. He was also the cadet colonel in high school ROTC at Casper, Wyoming during his senior year. In July of 1961, he entered West Point, graduating with the Class of 1965. His first station, for 13 months, was in Seoul, Korea with the 31st Infantry. While in Korea he earned his black belt in Karate. In April 1967 he reported to Ft. Bragg, N. C., with the Raider Detachment, 82d Airborne Division. He wore his Parachutist Badge with special pride, and “Airborne” was one of his favorite expressions. In March 1968 he reported for duty in Vietnam.
The last call to duty came on 30 April 1968. Captain Richard LeRoy Endicott died from wounds received from ground fire in a firefight near Cu Chi, South Vietnam. He was Company Commander, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry (Golden Dragons), 25th Infantry Division. Prior to his death he had been cited for gallantry and heroism. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
His life, though short, has left us a happy past to remember and a better future to work for, trying to be the kind of person he was, truly an inspiration to all of us. His community, the State, and the Nation have lost a fine young man. As we pay respect to his memory, we are saddened that he is gone, but we are glad that he lived. We have the inspiration of his life as our heritage. Let us be glad that we called such a man our friend. The words of Edgar A. Guest seem to have been written about Dick:
“To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still
To do my best and let that stand
The record of my heart and hand;
And then, should failure come to me
Still hope and work for victory.”
—Jeanne Carpenter
A friend
