Colonel Richard Walter Blair (March 1941-December 2020) graduated from Duke University in June 1964 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in August. He completed Basic training and AIT at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, class 6-65 on 22 June 1965. COL Blair then completed ranger school and parachute training.

COL Blair’s subsequent assignments were: Platoon Leader, 1/508 INF (ABN), 82 Abn Div., Fort Bragg; Platoon Leader 2/16 INF 1st Infantry Division Vietnam; Assistant and Battalion Advisor RVN Abn Division (MACV); S-3 Operations Officer, RMS, Chicago, Illinois; Assistant Corrections Officer, 33rd MP Bn, Chicago Illinois; Company Commander 933 MP Co., 33rd MP Bn Control Group; S-3, Co B 1st BN 12th Special Forces Gp (ABN) Arlington Heights , Illinois; Operational Detachment Commander, Co B 1st Bn 12th SFG; S-3 305 Psychological Operations Bn (Strat), Chicago, Illinois; PSYOP Officer, 305 PSYOP Bn (STRAT) Control Group; Tactics and Exercises Operations Umpire/Controller 85th Div., Fort Sheridan; RC Coordinator, 1st Corps Support Command, Fort Bragg; Staff Officer, War Plans Division, ODCSOPS, HQDA, PNT, Wash D.C.; RC Advisor, Special Ops Division; J-3 The Joint Staff PNT, Wash D.C.; Assistant for Res Affairs, ODASD(P&M), OASD(SO/LIC), PNT, Washington D.C.

His military education includes Infantry OCS, Ranger School, Airborne School, Heavy Mortar Officers Qualification Course, USAIS Intelligence Officer Basic Course, USAIMA Special Forces Officers Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College (Commandants List), and Army War College.

His awards, decorations, and badges include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/V device 2nd award, Bronze Star 2nd award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, ARCOM w/2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal 2nd award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/10 year device, Vietnam Service Medal w/5 bronze service stars, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Sec of Defense Staff ID Badge, Joint Staff ID Badge, Army Staff ID Badge.

COL Blair’s foreign awards and decorations include: RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation w/palm, RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation with gold star, RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation with silver star (2), RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st class, RVN Honor Medal, RVN Parachutist Badge, RVN Campaign Medal.