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Richard Lee Whitteker
United States Air Force
Prisoner of War
Missing in Action
You are not Forgotten
408th Tactical Fighter Squadron
366th Fighter Wing
7th Air Force
"Click on the Unit logo to view that Unit's Website"
Richard Lee Whitteker served as a Captain - Grade 03 - Air Force - Reserves

He was 29 years old at the time of his death.

Richard ( Red ) as he was called, was born on Febuary 7, 1939 in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Richard served with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing,
7th Air Force.

Richard Lee Whitteker died on March 27, 1968 in Notrth Vietnam.

Richard's death was a result of the crash of his aircraft during a combat mission over North Vietnam. Richard engaged an enemy convoy of vehicles in North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed for an unknown reason. The crash resulted in the death of
Richard L. Whitteker and his GIB, "Backseater" James L. Badley.
Their Bodies were not recovered.
"As remembered by Jack Drain, Lt/Col Ret."
"Please see incident report below."


Richard's religion was Lutheran & Missouri Synod.

Richard's name s listed on Panel 46E --- Line 51


"Rest In Peace Richard & James You Are Missed By All Who Knew You"



Honors

Richard served his Flag and Country with Distinction and Valor.  Richard flew 105 Combat missions over North Vietnam. For his service to his Flag, Country, and the United States Air Force, Richard earned the following awards:


The Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart - for wounds received in action
The Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal W/ Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defence Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Gallentry Cross with Palm
Summary Report on Incident 3/27/68



WHITTEKER, RICHARD LEE
Name: Richard Lee Whitteker
Branch/Rank: United States Air Force/O3
Unit: 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing
Date of Birth: 07 February 1939
Home City of Record: Easton, Pa.
Date of Loss: 27 March  1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 171954 North  1061214 East
Status (in 1973): Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4D
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: James L. Badley
Refno:
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following:
raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF ,( Combined Action Combat Casualty File.)
REMARKS:
CACCF, CRASH, PILOT, 6 YRS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
No further information available at this time.
========================
03/04/02
Richard "Red" Whitteker's bio doesn't include the name of his backseater,
James L. Badley.  Badley traded into the trip with Whitteker and this story
is documented in a book about James Badley called "Angels Unknown."
Website:  www.AngelsUnknown.net It is a story of healing after the Vietnam War,
and chronicles the professional and personal life of James L. Badley

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A McDonald Douglas, F-4 D, Phantom Fighter similiar to the one that Richard Flew.
Lt. James L. Badley
James died with
Capt. Richard Whitteker
on March 27, 1968 in North Vietnam.
"Click on his photo to visit Jim's Bio Page"

Captain Richard Lee Whitteker
Vietnam  1968
Richard Lee Whitteker ( Red)
in Vietnam 1968
Red Whitteker, location and date unknownt.
Click on the photo to enlarge
Memories of a classmate of Red's,  Marilyn Aagaard Martin 
On 2/15/2017 friends and veterans gathered at Forest Street in Borough of Wilson, Easton, Pa.  to remember and Honor Capt. Richard Lee Whitteker a fighter pilot who was shot down on a combat mission over North Vietnam on March 27, 1968. Capt. Richard Lee Whitteker remains were never found. Capt. Whitteker  and family were residents of Forest St. at the time. 
Barry Willever a Wilson resident and Vietnam Veteran does the honors affixing the memorial sign of Capt. Richard Whitteker