Richard McCord

1938 - 2021

Richard McCord
Dec. 27, 1938 - Apr. 8, 2021
Ridgecrest, CA
April 8, 2021 marked the passing of a truly great man, Captain Richard Guy McCord, USMC (Retired), at the age of 82.
Richard, known to his friends as Dick, lived a life of quiet modesty, respect, and humility. Behind that, though, was a military career marked by honorable service, derring-do, and exploits unimagined by most of us. Enlisting out of high school in 1956, Richard volunteered to serve in the Marine's elite First Force Reconnaissance Company and served in Vietnam. Before the Vietnam war was over, Richard had served four tours there and, in the process, received a Direct Commission, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. Richard spent time at the U.S. Navy's Parachute Unit in El Centro as a parachute test jumper. By the time he left Force Recon, Richard had well over 300 parachute jumps, most of them freefalls. Richard eventually entered the aviation field as a forward aerial observer. He resigned his commission and became a Warrant Officer and flew in the OV-10 Bronco. Richard reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before retiring from his beloved Corps out of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in 1978 after 22 years of service. Among his schools in the Marines, Richard attended Airborne School, Freefall Parachute School, Scuba School, and Tactical Aerial Observer Course. Richard's awards included the Vietnam Service Medal (4 awards), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Richard was born in San Jose, California in 1938. He married Melba, his high school sweetheart, in 1958. In 1984, Richard and Melba moved to Ridgecrest, California where he worked as a logistical engineer and program manager at China Lake Naval Weapons Station. They came to love the area and never left. Melba passed away suddenly in 2005.
Richard and Melba had three children: Nancy, a retired teacher residing in California; Michael, a foreign service officer residing overseas; and Brian, who passed away in 1993.
Richard found love again when he met Winifred Hughes, known to her family and friends as Winnie. They fell in love and married in 2016. They lived in Ridgecrest until his recent death. In addition to his children, Richard is survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The oldest of six siblings, Richard is survived by his brothers: Jeffrey, Michael, and Greg, and two sisters: Sharilyn and Nancy.
If the measure of a man is the quiet accomplishment of great things, then we can know with certainty that Richard's passing marks the end of an accomplished life worthy of note and honor.
Richard's son, Michael, fondly recalls attending middle school in Hawaii, situated across the bay from Kaneohe Marine Corps Base where Richard was stationed following his Vietnam service. Standing outside his classroom at the pre-arranged time, Michael would wave to his father flying overhead, who dipped his wings in reply. One final wave, Captain. Semper Fi.


View the online memorial for Richard McCord