Richard Tipa

About Richard Tipa...

In Sep 1962 I joined the National Guard, 2/258th Arty at Kingsbridge Armory in The Bronx NY. I attended ESMA to obtain a Commission and graduated on Jul 11, 1964 with the intention of returning to active duty. On Jan 4th 1966 I returned to active duty at the G3 Office at Ft Sill OK. In May of 66 I was reassigned to the 1/40th Arty where on Sep 23 1966 we were deployed to Vietnam. We went by ship aboard the USS General LeeRoy Eltinge. Arriving in Da Nang Vietnam in October 1966, where we were placed OPCON to the 12 Marine Regt 3 Marine Division Forward. We were stationed at the Marine Combat Base in Dong Ha. I served a total of 19 months with the 1/40th, 15 months of those were in Vietnam. I was assigned as the C.O. of A Co, 5th BN, 2nd Training Brigade at Fort Dix NJ. In August 1969 I attended the Field Arty Officer's Career Course. In May 1970 I attended the Primary Helicopter Pilot's Course at Ft Wolters TX and then on the complete the course at Ft Rucker AL graduating in Jan 1971. I was later assigned as S3 of the 227th Aviation BN, 1st Calvary Div at Ft Hood TX before a 2nd tour in Vietnam. There I was the Operations Officer's of the 201st Aviation Co in Nha Trang. I was caught up in the RIF in 1972 leaving in April of that year