About
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Richard William Starkey was born in Schenectady, New York, on August 31, 1947. After 1950, he moved with his family to the Town of Niskayuna in Schenectady County, New York. He attended the University of Nebraska after graduating from Niskayuna High School in 1965. Before entering the military, he was working for General Electric in the City of Schenectady.
On February 24, 1969, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was a private first class serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On August 23, 1969, he started his tour of duty in Vietnam. During Operation Idaho Canyon, on September 17, 1969, Company L was attacked by the North Vietnamese Army close to Hill 154. Fragmentation wounds from an enemy grenade caused Richard's death. Company L suffered multiple injuries and lost sixteen men during that battle. He is buried in the Florence National Cemetery in South Carolina.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry