Highest regard to an outstanding aviator and a even greater individual

I, too, wore a silver POW bracelet with Lt. Cmdr. Richard D. Mullen's name on it for several years. He must have been so brave to endure six years of brutal captivity. I remember the day he was released because the list of names was published in the newspaper. I was lying on the floor of our family's living room in Wisconsin reading the paper and scanning the list when I saw his name. I started crying and ran to show my parents and brothers and sisters. We all had prayed for his safe return and were overjoyed to see that he had come home. I am so happy to know that he was able to live a good and happy life. My condolences to his family on their loss. Godspeed, Captain Mullen.

Today is Veterans Day and I remembered back to my college years. I wore a POW bracelet with CDR Richard Mullen's name on it for many years. I watched on TV the day he was released and was flown home.  I removed that bracelet and put it away for safe keeping. Today as I remembered CDR Mullen, I thought of using the internet to see if I could locate him or read more of his story, I was saddened to read is obituary. I was able to locate this guest book and felt compelled to write a comment. Thank you CDR Mullen for your dedication and service to this country. To your family I express my sincere condolences in the passing of a great man, who I was proud to support during a very troubling time in his life. I still have that bracelet and would gladly send it to the family if they were interested.

So often we forget to keep in touch with people we knew when we were young, and such is the case with Mr. Mullen, as I used to call him. My entire life, though, I remembered him and talked about him and how much I valued those early experiences with Karen and Sandra and how much they have stayed with me. As time goes by, I can still so easily summon the house on Rosemont and the games we used to play. I wish I had come by and said hello and reminisced with your father as I'm sure he would have enjoyed knowing how special he was to me. I remember how upbeat and charming he was and how he used to wave with such warmth in his smile when we were still living there. I will always remember him and all of you with great affection. 

My sincere condolences to all of you who have lost your father, husband, grandfather, close friend.

"To Peggy and family, our condolences.  Moon, you will be missed and always remembered by your Band-of-Brothers". On behalf of all NAMPOWs, Joe Milligan, President.

My heart is with Peggy and the family.  I knew Dick long before I ever met him because I wore his POW bracelet in support of a demand to the North Vietnamese to give us an accounting of the status of prisoners.  Shortly after his return, he and his family visited us in New Orleans.  We were in the French Quarter one evening and my husband suggested we have our picture taken with one of those silly cartoon signs.  When I realized we were standing behind and holding on to fake jail bars I was concerned as to how Dick would react.  In an exhibit of his wonderful sense of humor, which I'm sure saw him through many difficulties, he laughed and said, "I think I've been here before!"  He always had so much enthusiasm for life and every moment of it that I'm sure he's riding a bike around Heaven right now with a smile on his face and eager to see what's around the next corner.

Our condolences to Peggy.  Moon was a true patriot.  He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.  Bob & Pattie Laczko

Great pilot, true gentleman, admired and

respected by all.

                  Lee & Yvonne Curry

My condolences and sympathy to Moon's family and friends. I feel honored to have known, worked in Kiwanis and to have had Moon as a friend. He will be missed in his community of family and friends.

Great squadron friend many years ago. A fond memory. Dan Pedersen Captain USN Ret.

Moon was A true American Hero. He was a great person and friend. He was a One of my Heroes.

As a fellow Satan's Kitten, I will always remember Moon's gentlemanly ways, his wry and ready smile.  Especially, I will always remember the countless prayers that were ultimately answered with his return from 6 years of "hell".  The endurance that he and others displayed gave the enemy an element of respect for our American fighting men that can never be measured.  Ken Masat, Texas

Calm, cool, collected, unflappable in the air, on the ground ot tied up in ropes in the Hanoi Hoa Lo jail. I was honored to call him shipmate and friend. Fair winds and following seas. The Beak

I had the privilege of flying with Moon many times in VF-191. What a true gentleman. Moon was an exemplary officer and pilot. I wish for him, calm seas, fair skies, and a following wind.

One of the real true gentlemen.  Kind, considerate, compassionate.  I shall miss him.  Karen Black

OBITUARY

Richard Dean Mullen

12 February, 1931 – 18 September, 2015

Pacific Beach – La Jolla Chapel

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