RICHARD H. BUZZELL, LTJG, USN
Richard Buzzell '68
Lucky Bag
From the 1968 Lucky Bag:
RICHARD HOWARD BUZZELL
Arlington, Massachusetts
Buzz, the oldest man in the Brigade, or the "Dirty Old Man" as he is known to most of his friends hails from the city of Arlington, Massachusetts. Buzz is a lover of all sports, and although he was not able to play for Navy except for one season of JV lacrosse; it would be hard to find a more avid fan.
He spent 3 years in the Navy prior to entering USNA, and he has anxiously awaited graduation so that he can fly choppers and do his part in Vietnam.
Buzz adopted the policy of working hard through the week, and as a reward playing equally hard during the weekend. This policy has managed to bring up his below par first year academics and leave him with a little of the highly coveted gravy.
Buzz has a knack for organizing and arousing spirit, and most of all for making friends. I'm sure that when he reaches the fleet he will handle any position he is given with ease.
RICHARD HOWARD BUZZELL
Arlington, Massachusetts
Buzz, the oldest man in the Brigade, or the "Dirty Old Man" as he is known to most of his friends hails from the city of Arlington, Massachusetts. Buzz is a lover of all sports, and although he was not able to play for Navy except for one season of JV lacrosse; it would be hard to find a more avid fan.
He spent 3 years in the Navy prior to entering USNA, and he has anxiously awaited graduation so that he can fly choppers and do his part in Vietnam.
Buzz adopted the policy of working hard through the week, and as a reward playing equally hard during the weekend. This policy has managed to bring up his below par first year academics and leave him with a little of the highly coveted gravy.
Buzz has a knack for organizing and arousing spirit, and most of all for making friends. I'm sure that when he reaches the fleet he will handle any position he is given with ease.
Loss
Richard was lost on December 19, 1970 when the UH-1B Huey helicopter he was piloting suffered a catastrophic rotor failure and crashed over the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The copilot and two crewmen aboard were also lost. They were members of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) (HA(L)) 3.
Other Information
Richard had served in Vietnam since April 1970.
He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Bernardine Buzzell, and sister, Martha Lagow.
Remembrances
From Wall of Faces:
So long ago since we had that last drink the night before your last flight. Even after all these years, you are not forgotten, my friend. RO, LAXRIDE@YAHOO.COM, 11/12/14
Buzz, that's what we called you in HT-8. You were a classmate of mine going through Helo Training. Buzz, impossible as it may seem I stayed in the Navy and was somehow promoted to Captain. I remember the great times we had in the Ellyson Field O'club. You were young brash, so very confident and fun loving. We both volunteered for HAL-3, my orders were changed, yours were not. Am thinking of you today shipmate, God rest your soul. CAPTAIN KRIS TANDE, USN (RET), CAPTAINLUD@YAHOO.COM, 6/30/04
Photographs
Memorial Hall Error?
Richard is listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. While not an obvious error, inclusion on the panel for crashes like this (incidental to combat flights) has been inconsistent across WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Related Articles
John Esposito '68 and James Jones '68 were also in 22nd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
