Jack Ronald RICKMAN, Sr.

Major Jack R. Rickman, Sr., US Army Retired, a native of Johnson City, TN and a resident of West Palm Beach since 1988, died on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the age of 78. Major Rickman had two careers, serving the United States Army for more than 20 years, and as an educator for 28 years. A combat veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a battalion advisor with a Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) infantry unit during the Tet Offensive of 1968. He served a second tour in Vietnam in 1971-1972. He designed the Army's Air Assault Badge while with the 101st Airborne Division in 1971. The badge was adopted as an official Army badge in 1978. His military awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab. Ironically, he was never awarded the badge he designed, the Air Assault Badge. He held three awards of the Bronze Star Medal, including the "V" for valor device, two Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals. His service medals include the Vietnam Service Medal with eight campaign stars, the Korea Defense Service Medal, and foreign awards. He was a graduate of East Tennessee State University and earned a Master's Degree in Education from Boston University while in the Army. He began a second career as a teacher in 1981 in North Carolina. He moved to Florida in 1988 and was employed by the Palm Beach County School District. He was Palm Beach County's Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2005 and was last employed as a teacher with Okeeheelee Middle School in Greenacres, FL, when he retired in 2009. Major Rickman is survived by his wife, Virginia Newman Rickman, by a son, Lt. Col. Jack Rickman, Jr. USAF Retired, a daughter, Deborah Rickman and grandchildren, Ryan, Miranda, and Zoie. Major Rickman was inurned with Full Military Honors on April 4, 2018 in South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL.