U.S. navy plane have been noticed touchdown at Boston Logan Worldwide Airport on Friday forward of a funeral for a “true American hero” who spent greater than six years in captivity through the Vietnam Conflict.
Captain Richard Stratton, a Vietnam Conflict Navy veteran from Quincy, died in mid-January. He was 93.
Earlier than his funeral on Saturday, navy plane have been arriving at Boston Logan, and Gov. Maura Healey issued a quotation in reminiscence of Stratton.
An interment flag was additionally flown over the State Home this week.
“It is an honor to deliver this citation and interment flag to the family of Captain Stratton in recognition of his remarkable life and service to our nation,” Healey mentioned in a press release. “A proud Quincy native, Captain Stratton valiantly served in the Vietnam War and persisted through more than six years of captivity.
“His service didn’t end there – he came home to help other soldiers and civilians suffering from trauma and addiction as a social worker,” the governor added. “We are in awe of his bravery, his resilience, and his deep compassion for others. He is a true American hero, and our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones and community.”
Stratton served within the Massachusetts Military Nationwide Guard, spent years on the Catholic Seminary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and graduated from Georgetown College.
He joined the U.S. Navy Aviation Officer Candidate Program and was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1957, whereas additionally being assigned to Stanford College and incomes a grasp’s diploma in worldwide relations.
He was deployed to Southeast Asia with CVW-19 aboard the plane service USS Ticonderoga in 1966 till he was shot down and compelled to eject over North Vietnam. He was taken as a Prisoner of Conflict on Jan. 5, 1967, and spent 2,251 days in captivity, “enduring inhumane treatment including torture,” his obituary reads.
He was launched throughout Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973, and later awarded the Silver Star for Valor, Purple Coronary heart, and P.O.W. medal amongst many different navy decorations and awards.
When he returned house, he continued to carry numerous positions and instructions throughout the nation.
After his retirement from the Navy, he practiced as a medical social employee, specializing in psychological trauma and addictions, served as President of NAM-POWs, and was the Chairman of the Division of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Prisoners of Conflict.
“He stayed active in many veteran organizations ensuring their voices continued to be heard and their legacies honored,” his obituary reads.
He’s survived by his spouse Alice, three sons, six granddaughters, and several other nieces and nephews.
The funeral mass in Quincy’s Sacred Coronary heart Church shall be at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Burial with full navy honors will happen in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy.
An F-18 will get able to land at Boston Logan. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
