Cpl Stephen Ryan Richards, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Burlington, NC.

Corporal Stephen Ryan Richards, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service, CPL Richards served our country until July 28th, 1968 in Quang Nagai, South Vietnam. He was 20 years old and was married. It was reported that Stephen died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. Stephen was born on December 24th, 1947 in Burlington, North Carolina. CPL Richards is on panel 50W, line 027 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for less than a year.

Richards, Stephen Ryan, Private First Class, U. S. Army, died July 31, 1968, from injuries received July 7, 1968, while on a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam. He was 20 years old. A native of Alamance County, he graduated from Western High School in 1965 and was employed by the local Western Electric plant prior to entering service November l, 1967. He received his basic training at Ft. Bragg and additional training at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. He served as a medic with the infantry. Pfc. Richards is survived by his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Harold Richards of Winston-Salem. He was the husband of Mrs. Annette Coleman Richards. He is also survived by three brothers, one sister, maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Abernathy of Graham and paternal grandmother Mrs. Ivel Richards of Mebane. His wife accepted a plaque with the Silver Star Medal which was awarded posthumously to her husband for gallantry in action in Vietnam. Source: Times-News July 31, 1968 and February 14, 1969.

He was the Husband of Mrs Carol A Richards, 1908 North Ashland Drive, Burlington, NC.

He served as a Combat Medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, USARV.

He was awarded The Combat Medics Badge(CMB), The Silver Star Medal for Bravery, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Union Ridge, North Carolina
(source: Reece, Jim & Reece Thomas;NC Vietnam KIA/MIA's gravesites)