Richard Jasmine

To the family of Capt. Jasmine...I am sorry for your loss. A combat helicopter mission consists of pilots and crew; we crewchiefs and gunners of HMM-163 trusted our pilots and know they are the very best in our Marine Corps family. I know your Dad will always be remembered and honored by his fellow pilots and crew. I left HMM-163 before your Dad arrived, but I'll share 2 helicopter perspectives:

Harry Reasoner once wrote the following about helicopter pilots: "The thing is, helicopters are different from planes. An airplane by its nature wants to fly, and if not interfered with too strongly by unusual events or by an incompetent pilot, it will fly. A helicopter does not want to fly. It is maintained in the air by a variety of forces and controls working in opposition to each other. Having said all this, I must admit that flying in a helicopter is one of the most satisfying and exhilarating experiences I have ever enjoyed: skimming over the tops of trees at 100 knots is something we should all be able to do, at least once".

And remember the fighter pilot's prayer: "Lord I pray for the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the courage of a combat helicopter pilot."

God Bless,

Semper Fidelis...

Richard Jerome Jasmine has been my friend, since 1959. We entered the Marine Corps flight training (MarCad) program together, and we both served as USMC officers and pilots, in Vietnam. (He was, at that time, among the very few black USMC pilots.) He served These United States well. He was honest, responsible, intelligent, industrious, brave, a good friend, a loving father, and a good Christian. Already, I miss him terribly.

Richard and I met on the internet because of the MarCad site. We communicated daily up until he became ill. He was ahead of me in Class 14 1965 with Joe Nickele and Ben Brenneman, while I was in Class 44 1965. I never got to meet him in person, but as a Brother Marine, a Brother MarCad and Brother Naval Aviator he will be missed but not forgotten. Semper Fidelis

I am so sorry to hear of Richards passing. I'll always remember him as the warm friendly person that he was in high school. I can still remember that big smile he always had on his face.He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.Mike Newell JMHS 1963

I served with Rick in Vietnam. He was a fine Marine and a great helicopter pilot. He has left a very meaningful and important legacy for future Marines to follow. He will be missed. Semper Fi.

Bernie Gordon

Another Marine reporting in to guard the gates.

Richard was my very best friend in the Marines and the dark days of Vietnam. He was a genius in so many ways. I will miss him.

Another Marine flies west to his final landing, and all too soon, where he will join Chesty and guard the streets of Heaven. I didn't know Rich, but we were Marcad brothers a year apart, and I know many he served with in Nam. Godspeed and Semper Fi, Rich.