Crew Chief 79th FS 20th FG 1943-45

P-38J s/n MC+O s/n 43-28431 "Happy Jack's Go Buggy"

P-51D s/n 44-13761 MC+I "Happy Jack's Go Buggy"

Richard Burgess was born in Gore, Ohio to David Edgar and Goldie Lambert Burgess in 1919. He was married to Rita Ursula Douglas and had two sons, Richard Alan (deceased age 59) and Steven Michael (a marketing professor in South Africa). Both sons and one grandson were US Army veterans. His highest educational qualification was a technical degree, although he later attended The Ohio State University. He was a professional and successful manager in the pipe insulation business, with Asbestos Service Company and later for Armstrong Contracting and Supply Corporation (Irex Corporation in 2016). He never spoke ill of any man and went to great lengths to take care of those who he employed.



He went into a coma 15 minutes before the planes hit the World Trade Center and died a few hours later, shortly after midnight, without waking. He was a patriotic veteran who spoke often of his service in the Mighty 8th, keeping in touch with his fellow soldiers and displaying plaques on his wall until his death.