Grave marker for Richard Green in Section 20, Site 1379, San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella (Merced county), California.

1SG (RET) RICHARD (DIK) GREEN ATTENTION TO ORDERS:

   On 15 April 2014, The Supreme Jumpmaster saw fit to manifest Trooper/Ranger First Sergeant (Ret) Richard Green.
   1SG Green enlisted in the United States Army on 1 March 1946 where he served in the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the 3/505 AIR, 187th ARCT, 508th PIR and 11th Airborne Division.
   He became the United States Army's FIRST BLACK PATHFINDER. He went on to serve in Korea, Germany, Lebanon, The Dominican Republic, and Vietnam.
   He retired after twenty-six years in the United States Airborne on 26 June 1972 at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
   Dik, as he was known by his friends, then enrolled in Central Carolina Community College where he received his Diploma in Radio-Television Broadcasting and obtained employment as the Program Manager/Radio Announcer at WSOK Radio Station in Savannah, Georgia.
   Upon leaving Savannah, Georgia and moving to Modesto, California in 1978, Dik gained employment with the United States Postal Service where he quickly rose to the position of Supervisor and where he remained until his retirement in January of 2004.
   Richard Green was born to Leonard and Kate (Lee) Green on January 15, 1928 in Fairfax, South Carolina. Mr. Green was predeceased by his parents; brother, George (Winky) Wilson; and his first wife, Alberta F. Green. Mr. Green is survived by his wife, Judi (Glisson) Green; their children, Erik and Kate Green, his son with Mrs. Alberta Green, Richard Daniel Green (Tracy), grandchildren Laura, Ricky, and Elliot; daughter, Jacqueline Reynolds, grandson Todd; his sister, Denise Wilson; several nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
   With a heavy heart the final commands are given:

  "Get Ready"
  "Stand Up"
  "Hook Up"
  "Check Static Line"
  "Check Equipment"
  "Sound off for Equipment Check" (Ranger 1SG Green is OK Jumpmaster)
  "Stand in the Door"
  "Go" Airborne All The Way!

Visitation will be on May 1st from 4-7pm at Franklin and Downs McHenry Chapel, 1050 McHenry Avenue, Modesto, California 95350. Chapel Service will be on May 2nd from 10-11am at Franklin and Downs McHenry Chapel with Military Burial at 1:30pm at the San Joaquin National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Road, Santa Nella, California 95322.

[Modesto Bee, Modesto, CA, April 27, 2014]