Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
CDR Richard Rich, USN
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 May 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.NETWORK.
SYNOPSIS: When nuclear powered USS ENTERPRISE arrived on Yankee Station on December 2, 1965, she was the largest warship ever built. She brought with her not only an imposing physical presence, but also an impressive component of warplanes and the newest technology. By the end of her first week of combat operations, the ENTERPRISE had set a record of 165 combat sorties in a single day, surpassing the Kittyhawk's 131. By the end of her first combat cruise, her air wing had flown over 13,000 combat sorties. The record had not been achieved without cost. One of the aircraft launched from the decks of the ENTERPRISE was the F4 Phantom fighter/bomber. The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings, served a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo and electronic surveillance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2), and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles, depending on stores and mission type).
The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and high altitudes. The F4 was selected for a number of state-of-the-art electronics conversions, which improved radar intercept and computer bombing capabilities enormously. Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes around.
When the ENTERPRISE arrived in Vietnam on its second combat cruise, two of its pilots were LTCDR William R. Stark and CDR Richard Rich. The two comprised the crew of an F4B Phantom sent on a mission over North Vietnam near the city of Hanoi on May 19, 1967. Rich served as the pilot of the aircraft, while Stark was the Radar Intercept Officer (RIO).
During the mission, Rich's wingman reported that enemy defenses, both anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles (SAM) were extremely heavy. He and CDR Rich were forced to fly their aircraft at very low altitudes in order to avoid the numerous missiles. While over the target, the wingman observed a
missile detonate close behind CDR Rich's aircraft and he subsequently lost sight of Rich's aircraft during the violent evasive maneuvering. Visual contact was completely lost and repeated radio calls to CDR Rich produced negative results. The wingman found no trace of Rich's aircraft, there were no emergency radio
signals and the wingman saw no parachutes. Search and rescue efforts were impossible due to the high threat in the Hanoi area. Electronic surveillance of the area produced negative results. In 1973, the Vietnamese released 591 Americans from Hanoi, including William R. Stark. Stark had been advanced to the rank of Commander during the years of his captivity. Richard Rich was among hundreds known or suspected to be held captive that were not released. Since that time, the Vietnamese have denied any knowledge of the fate of Richard Rich.
For 23 years, the Vietnamese have denied knowledge of the fate of Richard Rich, even though his aircraft went down in a heavily populated area. There is every reason to believe the Vietnamese could account for Rich, even if he died when his aircraft went down. On November 11, 1976, the Department of the Navy
declared Richard Rich dead based on no specific information he was still alive. During the time he was maintained Missing in Action, Rich was advanced to the rank of Captain.
Disturbing testimony was given to Congress in 1980 that the Vietnamese "stockpiled" the remains of Americans to return at politically advantageous times. Could Rich be waiting, in a casket, for just such a moment?
Even more disturbing are the thousands of reports received by the U.S. relating to Americans missing in Southeast Asia. Many authorities that examined this information (largely classified) have reluctantly come to the conclusion that many Americans are still alive in Southeast Asia. Could Rich be among these?
Perhaps the most compelling questions when remains are returned are, "Is it really who they say it is?" and "How -- and when -- did he die?" As long as reports continue to be received which indicate Americans are still alive in Indochina, we can only regard the return of remains as a politically expedient way to show "progress" on accounting for American POW/MIAs. As long as reports continue to be received, we must wonder how many are alive.
As long as even one American remains alive, held against his will, we must do everything possible to bring him home -- alive.
Chris' Information About His Father
On 19 May 67, my father Capt. Richard Rich flew off the USS Enterprise, as the XO of the VF96, and squadron leader of a flight of 4. He was part of Rolling Thunder, the 3 prong mission to hit North Vietnam at the same time. He was to be flying TARCAP, or Mig Suppression. When they got closer to Hanoi the AAA and SAM batteries opened up.
My Dad's RIO called, "SAM in the air", but due to the type of radar they had at that time they could only tell that one was launched and not where it was. My Dad did a Split S, which is a maneuver that works most of the time but you lose a lot of altitude. The SAM exploded underneath the plane and to the rear.
His wingman called, "NO SMOKE, NO FIRE". My Dad reported that the controls were a little sluggish but continued their mission anyway. This was to cover the A6's making the bombing runs on the thermal power plant.
At that time another SAM was reported in the air. My dad did another Spilt S maneuver. He was now down to about 2,000 ft. in his Phantom. The SAM again exploded underneath and to the rear of the jet. This time the RIO could not raise my Dad or anyone else on the mission or in his flight. Seconds later the RIO was ejected involuntarily and was captured as soon as he landed. He was released in 1973.
That was the last time any word was heard from my Dad. But since that time my Dad has remained on the Special Remains List. His name was mentioned in 3 different articles coming out of the Soviet Union. My Dad left behind his Mother, Brother, Wife and 4 boys. I am the youngest and the most active in finding the
truth about my Dad, as he was and still is my HERO.
My Dad loved to sail, in fact he was on the Olympic Laser team, and, from what I have been told, he won several medals. He was also on the Olympic Ski Jump team as a back up. See, my Dad got bored with his job and life as a Wall Street lawyer so he joined the navy at age 27. At that time he was the oldest ensign in the Navy. There were two things my Dad loved; one was his Family and two was flying.
He did not have to go to Vietnam but he wanted to prove that he had the right stuff. He was 15 days from being off station so he had a choice of assignments; either as the CO of the VF96 or help start up the Navy school that we now know as TOP GUN. He also tried out for the Mercury program but being 6'4", he was too tall for the space capsules.
My Father has been missing for 32 years as of 19 May 99. When will the government really care about OUR POW/MIA's? When will the Government stop lying to the Families of our POW/MIA's? JTF-FA says they found my Dad's crash site but why don't they excavate it? What are they afraid of? What about all the other Families of our Real American Heroes, why does the Government forget them too? What is the Government afraid of?
Chris Rich Update on my Dads Case as of June 1999
On June 15th I arrived in Washington DC for the annual Government Briefings on Our POW/MIA's.
I arrived a few days early to have some fun and to do some research at the Library of Congress (LOC).
While going through one of the reels at the LOC I saw a Live Sighting report dated 1968. It was a picture of a group of POW's; location unknown. My Mom stated that it was Dad positively. My Grandmother, however, states that it could not be her son as he was always clean cut, with short hair and always dressed nicely. I am sorry but I do not know of many of our POW's that had a Barbershop in their Camp. The DIA also confirmed this to be my dad.
Then in 1969 an AP report stated that pilots shot down on 19 May 67, my Dads date, were taken to Russia. They also mentioned his name. While going through the one file I have on my Dad, (the rest are being
copied for me) I noticed several inconsistencies by Joint Task Force for Full Accountability (better known as JTF-FA in the circle).
I was told last year that there were no longer any Primary Cases (cases that the
Government would try to resolve first) and no Alternate cases (cases that the government would attempt to get to). But in one of the documents in my dad's new file JTF-FA stated that his crash site was listed as an
Alternate site two times. But there is a problem with that too. You see my Dad's site is in a rice paddy and it can only be excavated during the dry season. But the dates given were during the Monsoon season.
I had a friend (Thanks Steve) attend the Question and Answer Session for the Government Briefings. He asked Brig. Gen. Tucker these Questions for me. Gen Tucker confirmed that, yes, they had primary and alt. cases on each mission and he did not know why they would schedule my Dads case during a monsoon season. Do they really think that the Families do not know when the dry season is if it is part of their case?
General Tucker also told Steve that my Dads Case should have been a Primary last year and that he will personally look into this and get back to Steve and myself.
Well that is all now. Richard Rich's son, Chris, has been active in seeking the answers concerning his father. He is a member of OJC and is a friend to many people in OJC. Chris was kind and helpful in answering the following questions for the article:
Questions: What was it like growing up having a Dad who was POW/MIA?
For many years I told the kids that my dad was on a secret mission or he was a spy. You see when I was younger (before 10 or so) I really didn't understand that whole MIA thing as I was on so many drugs at the time I was basically a walking zombie. :}. But as I got older I realized why my dad wasn't around. I started to ask questions as a young teen and from there never gave up. Sure I have stepped away but never gave up the fight to find out what really happened
It was strange growing up and having to take your mom to the Father and Son Banquets or the Cub Scouts and such. Mom did her very best raising four boys from ages 13 and me having a serious medical problem. It was weird not having someone to ask questions of, like how to ask a girl out on a date and things like that
What made you get involved in looking for your Dad and information about him?
I wanted the Truth and only the Truth. I didn't want to believe as a young teen that my dad was really dead but as I researched this and found things out I really wanted him dead, not in a prison camp for so many years.
I was always a background person. If something would happen then I would support them. But after I met Steve, I learned more about the issue and became more and more involved with it. Often to the point that during the past 3 yrs I have been working on it 20+++ hours a week; researching, helping out with other kids and or families, public awareness and things like that.
How do you handle the ups and downs that you go through trying to get information?
Early on I just thought it through but in the past 10 years or so I have been lucky to have some great friends in the issue. And I have the support of OJC which has brought me though many times when I felt it was time to give up.
It is OK to step back; we all have to do it sometimes. For me though, when I would step back for a while (longest time about 4 months) I would still read things and see what was happening and that would make me angrier. It would make me want to find the truth even more. The lies the USG gave me are the ones that drove me to find the truth.
And I have heard many lies in just the past couple of years alone. But with the people of OJC the truth can be known. It just takes time and effort to do so.
What advise would you have for other children or family of POW/MIA to help in their fight to bring their loved one home?
NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER FORGET
It is important not to let the USG win. They will win if we forget and the only way we let them know we haven't forgotten is to let them know in words. Words may be written, faxed, emailed, telephoned, spoken.
Research your files. If you don't have them get them. Have someone you trust and who understands them to read though them with you to point out the inconsistencies. Get involved with NAF. This is the group that really fights for our POW/MIA along with the folks of OJC. Stay involved.
NEVER LET THE USG FORGET. Keep it in their face. Sorry that is the Activist in me. Don't let the public forget. Talk about it. But once again it comes down to GET INVOVLED and STAY INVOVLED.
Make the Government nervous. They hate it when they have to realize that someone knows their stuff. Get in their face and don't give up or let it go. Call them weekly and ask them what is going on and ask them for official word from the other agencies like JTF, CILHI, DPMO and such.
But STAY INVOLVED.
Chris, could you give us the latest information about your Dad?
The Official word is that the US Government has excavated the site as of September 99. The Official-Unofficial word is that there have been remains found also but no Official Government confirmation as of yet.
What now for Chris Rich?
I will continue to fight for our POW/MIA and their families. In 3 other cases I am working closely with the other "KIDS" and Steve and Gunny and the rest of the Activists on getting the truth for their families too.
Diane and I are getting along great and who knows one day there just might be an invitation to all the OJC members for a special day between us.
Lest We Forget
And thank you, from my Family, and me for all that OJC has done for us. I will keep you informed of any new facts.
Chris Rich
Rank/Branch: O5/US Navy, pilot
Unit: Fighter Squadron 96, USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65)
Date of Birth: 27 October 1925 (New York NY)
Home City of Record: Stamford CT
Date of Loss: 19 May 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 203952N 1054125E (WH718962)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4B
Other Personnel in Incident: William R. Stark (released POW)
Proud Son of Capt. Richard Rich MIA/USN
Shot down 19May67
Lest We forget
Thanks for caring
Chris
Lets make 2000 the year they all come home!
