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One of our members has made an extremely persuasive case to me to raise funds to support a commemorative trophy at LT Jack Rittichier’s Alma Mater, Kent State University.  Few Pterodactyls were aware of this, but Jack was a hero in every sense of the word.  During his college football career with the “Golden Flashes,” his 90-yard touchdown run in the final minutes of the October 1954 Homecoming Game against Bowling Green secured the win and propelled Kent State to their first bowl game in the school’s history.  Throughout the year, he averaged 8.4 yards per carry and was named to the Second Team All Mid-American Conference.  Jack was not only the team’s punter for all three of his varsity seasons, but was Captain of the 1955 football team and 1956 track team.  The leadership skills he developed on the athletic field would go on to serve him well in his military career.

 

 

Upon graduation in 1956, Jack was commissioned as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, flying B-47 strategic bombers.  As a result of his strong admiration for the lifesaving mission of the Coast Guard, he applied and was accepted for the Coast Guard Direct Commissioned Aviator program upon completion of his Air Force obligation.  Assigned at Air Stations Elizabeth City and Detroit as a helicopter pilot, he participated in many rescue missions in the Tidewater and Great Lakes regions and subsequently volunteered to serve on a unique Coast Guard program featuring “exchange” duty with the Air Force in Viet Nam.  Rittichier flew combat rescue missions in the Air Rescue and Recovery Service “Jolly Green Giant” helicopters, bringing invaluable experience to his squadron and accomplishing several dramatic rescues of downed pilots. On June 9^th, 1968 he and his three Air Force crewmen made the supreme sacrifice in a heroic attempt to rescue a Marine Corps pilot who had been shot down along the infamous and heavily defended Ho Chi Minh trail, North Viet Nam’s main supply route to their guerilla and regular forces fighting in South Viet Nam.  Jack Rittichier was the sole Coast Guard aviator to be killed in action in that war.  His remains and those of his crew were not recovered until 2002, thirty-four years after they were shot down. LT Rittichier was buried on Coast Guard Hill at Arlington National Cemetery on October 6^th, 2003 with full military honors.

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Kent State University would be pleased to honor Jack Rittichier’s memory by awarding the JACK COLUMBUS RITTICHIER AWARD annually to their Most Valuable Player.  It will be a permanent four foot by two foot bronze plaque, a bas relief image of Jack’s 1954 touchdown run, mounted on a 6 foot high granite base at the university’s football stadium.  Each recipient’s name will be engraved on the plaque each year and he will receive a miniature replica.  The plaque will be commissioned by a firm that has considerable expertise, having recently cast a commemorative plaque honoring former National Football League player Sgt. Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.  Jack Rittichier will be honored twice this year: on September 26^th at a football game “Heroes Day,” and again on October 10^th when Kent State honors the famed 1954 and 1972 teams. 

 

INSCRIPTION FOR THE RITTICHIER TROPHY

 

(Side One of Base)

 

This award is presented annually by the United States Coast Guard in memory of:

 

LT JACK COLUMBUS RITTICHIER      UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

 

LT Rittichier, with his three United States Air Force crewman, CPT Dick Yeend, SGT Jim Locker and SGT Eric Holder, perished in South Vietnam on June 9^th, 1968 while attempting the heroic rescue of an American pilot who had been shot down deep in hostile territory. Jack Rittichier was the only Coast Guard aviator to perish in the war and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action.

 

(Side Two of Base)

 

This trophy depicts Jack Rittichier’s 90-yard touchdown run which defeated the Bowling Green Falcons during the waning minutes of the football game played on Saturday, October 30^th, 1954. This victory propelled the team to victories in their remaining games, earning the Golden Flashes their first bowl game bid in the school’s history. Jack was also Captain of the 1955 team as well as Captain of the 1956 track team.

(Side three of base)

 

 

(Side Four of Base)

 

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

NAME OF PLAYER

YEAR

 

 

We will ask if the Commandant would be available to unveil this award at the Kent State game on “Heroes Day,” September 26^th, 2009 and if the Coast Guard would consider making this an official Coast Guard annual award. If each of our 1,300 plus members could spare just $10, we would have enough money to launch this initiative.  We are also asking for donations from the Air Force Association, The Marine Corps Aviation Association, the Jolly Green Association and “PJ” (Pararescuemen) Association.  Your cash contribution should be made payable and sent to:

 

COAST GUARD AVIATION ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 222905
Chantilly, VA 20153-2905

 

Please indicate on check ATTN: “RITTICHIER TROPHY”

 

 

If each of our 1,300 plus members could spare just $10, we would have enough money to launch this initiative.  We are also asking for donations from the Air Force Association, The Marine Corps Aviation Association, the Jolly Green Association and “PJ” (Pararescuemen) Association.  Your cash contribution should be made payable and sent to: 

COAST GUARD AVIATION ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 222905
Chantilly, VA 20153-2905

Please indicate on check ATTN: “RITTICHIER TROPHY”

Or Donate Here:

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