Colonel Richard R. Burritt

Colonel Richard R. Burritt, United States Marine Corps, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on July 15, 2011. Born in Cicero, Illinois on January 8, 1928, Richard enjoyed a distinguished military career in the USMC, enlisting at age 17 just before the end of WWII in 1945. Following WWII, he spent the next three years at USMC schools in Quantico, VA and in China. He served as a student in the inactive reserves at Perdue University from 1948 – 1951, followed by his active combat service in Korea from 1951 – 1952. He served subsequent troop assignments at Camp Pendleton, CA, Japan, Korea and Camp LeJeune, NC from 1952 – 1954, during which he received his commission in the Corps in 1952.

He served a two-year tour at Camp LeJeune earning his explosive ordinance disposal badge as an EOD officer. He served as a Battalion S-3 and S-4 with the Third Marine Division in Okinawa from 1963 – 1964, preceded by his graduation from George Washington University in 1962 and the Amphibious Warfare School in 1963. He then reported to the Canal Zone in Panama serving a three year tour as the Marine Barracks Executive Officer.

From 1968 – 1970, then Lt. Colonel Burritt served as a Reconnaissance Battalion Commander, first with the Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton and then the Third Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. From 1971 – 1972 Colonel Burritt attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL and earned his M.A. in Business Administration at Auburn University. He was then assigned to the USMC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., during which he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon as an Action Officer and the Branch Chief, Far East/ South Asia Division. On July 29, 1976, Colonel Burritt assumed command of the Fifth Marines, the most highly decorated Regiment in the USMC.

Among the Colonel’s decorations are included the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Colonel Burritt moved with his family to Montgomery, AL and spent the next 15 years with Merrill Lynch in Montgomery.

Colonel Burritt is predeceased by his parents Marion and Bill Teeuws and Ronnie and Virginia Burritt of Chicago, IL and his brother Chris Burritt of Chicago. He is survived by his wife Omega “Meg” Griggs Burritt, Sisters-Mary Burritt, Marion (Mel) Laundry, Penny (Joel) Bolero, Sister In Law- Susan Burritt, Children: Mary Ann (Jeff) Sumner, Cynthia C. Price, Elizabeth (Tom) Thurston, Sharon G. Jones and Alyssa Jill (Barry) Mask. Grandchildren: Alyson (Jeff) Biles, D. Lee (Courtney) Jones, Chris (Amanda) Sumner, Matt (Vicki) Sumner, Jenny (Brian) Carswell, Wesley England and Jessie (Nick) Neff. Great Grandchildren: Logan Jones and London Thurston.

Richard was a Marine’s Marine who loved his God, family, country and delighted in Auburn’s 2010 National Championship.

Services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011 at White Chapel in Montgomery, Alabama at 2:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service, officiated by the Reverend John Schmidt. A graveside service will immediately follow.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Reconnaissance Battalion- Third Marine Division, 1968 / 1969 Republic of Vietnam.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family is requesting contributions in the honor of Colonel Burritt be made to : Montgomery Cancer Wellness Foundation, 4145 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36106 or to Hospice of Montgomery, 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery, AL 36110, or the charity of your choice.