rykoskey

EDWARD JAY RYKOSKEY POST #1
CARLISLE VIETNAM VETERANS
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
you are NOT fogotten
Welcome home, my brother

EDWARD JAY RYKOSKEY, L/CPL USMC
MIA 18 August 1966

above is a virtual rubbing of L/Cpl Rykoskey's name as it appears on The Wall

The only serviceman from Cumberland County whose remains were not accounted for following the Viet Nam War, L/Cpl Edward Jay Rykoskey was the son of Edward and Mary Rykoskey of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. L/Cpl Rykoskey was born on 11 May 1946 and finished his schooling at Carlisle High School in 1964, He then enlisted in the Marine Corps with his friend George Thompson on a "buddy" system program.

Completing basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, L/Cpl Rykoskey went to Vietnam on 21 July 1966 as a member of Charlie Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, FMF and served as a radio man.

On 18 August 1966, L/Cpl Rykoskey was deep in Viet Cong territory as a radio man on a four man patrol in Vietnam's Dai Loc Mountains, Quang Nam Province, RVN, southwest of the city, L/Cpl Rykoskey was struck down by automatic weapons fire. His team attempted to extract him from the battle zone but because of the combat situation could not do so.

The next morning (19 August 1966) a large scale search for L/Cpl Rykoskey's body was implemented. Dubbed "Operation Allegheny", this sweep of the area retraced the route of the patrol but found no sign of L/Cpl Rykoskey. The operation was terminated ten days later (29 August 1966) and he remains officially MIA as of this date.

L/Cpl Rykoskey was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with the combat "V" and the Purple Heart.
thanks to Cumberland County Historical Society for use of their excellent research files

Lance Corporal USMC

L/Cpl Rykowskey's medals

.

From L/Cpl Radoskey's Bronze Star Citation (in part)
"If not for his timely warning all of his patrol might have been killed. Lance Corporal Rykoskey laid down his life
willingly for his men and the success of his patrol. He did uphold the highest traditions of the
United States Marine Corps."

Statement of then Captain Donald R. Gardner
Charlie Company Commander 18 August 1966
(retired as Major General, USMC - received Silver Star during Operation Allegheny)
currently president of the Marine Corps University
I remember Rykoskey as bright, quiet, field trim and hardened to patrol conditions: very proud of being
a Marine radioman and without fear. Edward's death is regretful and he is still remembered
by his Marine friends and family. He aggressively patrolled that day long ago
to protect other Marines and make our world a safer place.

read Never without Heroes by Larry Vetter, Jr to discover more about the 3rd Recon Battalion from 1965-1970

Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

CLICK HERE TO SEND UPDATES OR CORRECTIONS TO THIS ARTICLE or email to gotohall@aol.com

CLICK HERE TO ASK US A QUESTION or email to gotohall@aol.com

CLICK HERE to download our application and download our newsletter

CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT IN OUR GUEST BOOK

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO OUR MAIN PAGE