Richard J. Seibert was born on September 28, 1942 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His home of record is Far Hills, NJ. He graduated from Bernards High School in 1960. Under his yearbook picture it states: “Dick…Far Hills, Ambition-Undecided, ‘Anything for the ladies’, Joined us in ’59…immediate popularity…luscious smile…our Sir Lancelot…talented in public speaking. Transferred-Linden High School, Linden, NJ, 1959.” He was a member of the Prom Committee, Drama Club, and part of the school play. He was also a noted equestrian and licensed assistant trainer. After high school he attended Union Junior College in Cranford, and the University of Baltimore. He was active in New Jersey equestrian circles during his childhood; he earned his “Colors” with the Spring Valley Hounds in 1956. While in Maryland, he rode with the Maryland Hunt and for many outstanding horse owners in that area. He became a racetrack inspector for the State of Maryland in 1964. Seibert was a communicant of St. James Church in Basking Ridge.
Seibert was drafted into the Army in March of 1966 and underwent basic training at Fort Riley in Kansas. He then took advanced infantry training at Ford Ord in California, where he was an instructor of basic Oriental languages. He attended Officers Candidates School in Fort Benning in Georgia, graduating in February 27, 1967, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was then assigned as a field instructor at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Seibert left for Vietnam on September 25, 1967. He was serving with the U.S. Army’s 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Company D, 3rd Battalion, and 21st Infantry. He was promoted from second to first lieutenant shortly before his death.
Seibert was killed in action on January 10, 1968 from fragmentation wounds while on patrol duty in the Queson Valley, South Vietnam. He left his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry I. Seibert, three sisters, Jane, Virginia and Judith, and a foster brother, Benjamin J. Smith, who was stationed at the Naval Air Base in Rota, Spain at the time of his death. A Requiem Mass was held for Seibert at St. James Catholic Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery also in Basking Ridge.
He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Source: NJVVMF, Bernardsville News, and Bernardsville Public Library.
12/17/2024
