Richard Joseph Vallone was born on December 22, 1945, to Mrs. Josephine and Mr. Joseph C. Vallone. His home of record is Bridgewater, NJ. He had one brother, David and a sister, Candace. He attended Bridgewater Raritan High School, graduating in 1964. He also enjoyed working on cars.

Vallone served in the US Navy where he attained the rank of Aviation Electronics Mate Third Class (AE3).

Vallone was among the 134 USS Forrestal (CVA 59) crewmembers and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen squadron personnel to be killed by the tragic fire on July 29, 1967. The USS Forrestal was 60 miles off the coast of North Vietnam on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea.

Vallone is listed as killed in action on July 29, 1967. He is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsboro, NJ.

Sources: Candace and David Vallone (sister and brother), Clay Marston (researcher) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024