RADM Roger L. Rich, JR, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Roger L. Rich Jr (Ret), a native of Swainsboro, Georgia, graduated from Georgia Tech in 1956 and received his commission from the Aviation Officer Candidate program in 1957. Following flight training his initial tour of four years was in Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Seven (HS-7) in Norfolk, Virginia operating from the USS Valley Forge and USS Randolph. Lt. Rich was then transferred to the Fleet Readiness Squadron (HS-1) in Key West Florida where, shortly after arrival the Cuban Crisis occurred causing Key West and squadron operations to completely change overnight! Near the end of the crisis circumstances resulted in the Duty Officer (LT Rich) making a late-night flight to transfer a U.S. inspector to the Russian freighter as it departed Havana Harbor with the missiles that caused the crisis.

Selected for and graduating from the Naval Test Pilot school and programed to test experimental Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft Lt Rich was assigned to the Fighter/ Attack section at the test center to build his experience in high performance aircraft. Following this he was assigned to the experimental flight office at Ling Temco Vaught (LTV) for initial testing of the XC-142 VTOL with the LTV pilots. When the aircraft were ready to be transferred to the USAF Test Center he was assigned there for additional testing by the Tri-Service Test Team. He was elected to the Society of Experimental Test Pilots for his work. Lt Rich was next assigned as Flight Officer for the USS Raleigh LPD-1 in Norfolk where he qualified as Fleet Officer of the Deck and was promoted to LCDR. His next operational tour was with HS-6 in San Diego where he was Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. Highlights of this tour were assignment as the photo helicopter for Apollo 14 (with special kudos from Walter Cronkite), cross coasting to the East Coast for deployment on the USS Independence and selection for Commander. His next assignment was to HS-1 in Quonset Pt. as Executive Officer for one year as orders returned him to San Diego and HS-4 for a XO/CO tour. This was highlighted by an eight-month West Pacific deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk and included a visit by the Shah (which required Cdr. Rich to go ashore for a week in Bandar Abbas as coordinator.)

Cdr. Rich was next assigned to the Pentagon as manager of the Research and Development budget for Aviation but this was cut short (14 months) as he was selected for follow on command and assigned to HS-1 in Jacksonville, Fl. Selected for Captain he was next assigned as Commander of HS Wing 1 from 1979 to 1981. After a year as Chief of Staff for the local Admiral, Captain Rich was screened for major command and selected as Commanding Officer NAS Jacksonville from 1982 till 1984. Selected for Rear Admiral in 1984 he was detailed as Commander Antisubmarine Wings Pacific Fleet with two bases and 26 squadrons reporting.

Returning to the Pentagon in 1987 RADM Rich was assigned as Chief of Naval Communications. Selection for a second star resulted in assignment as Commander Naval Forces Philippines, Commander US Facility Subic Bay and Commander in Chiefs Representative Philippines. RADM Rich’s last assignment was as Chief of Navy Technical Training from 1990 till 1992.

In addition to graduating from Ga. Tech and Naval Test Pilot School, RADM Rich earned an MBA from Auburn and degrees from Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the USAF Command and Staff College. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, Republic of the Philippines Presidential Legion of honor and the lifetime Service Award by the Naval Helicopter Association. He was designated an honorary Army Aviator for contributions to Army Aviation as a test pilot. He has flown over 100 models of aircraft. Since retirement he has served on boards of Naval Helicopter Association, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army and USO. He was a trustee for two terms for the National Naval Aviation Museum. Roger and wife Glynda have been married 64 years, have two married sons two granddaughters one great grandson and reside in Orange Park, Florida.

Cdr. Rich was next assigned to the Pentagon as manager of the Research and Development budget for Aviation but this was cut short (14 months} as he was selected for follow on command and again assigned to HS-1 in but this time in Jacksonville, Fl. Selected for Captain he was next assigned as Commander of HS Wing 1 from 1979 to 1981. After a year as Chief of Staff for the local Admiral, Captain Rich was screened for major command and selected as Commanding Officer NAS Jacksonville from 1982 till 1984. Selected for Rear Admiral in 1984 he was detailed as Commander Antisubmarine Wings Pacific Fleet with two bases and 26 squadrons reporting. This tour was enhanced by two trips to Antarctica. Returning to the Pentagon in 1987 RADM Rich was assigned as Chief of Naval Communications. Selection for a second star resulted in assignment as Commander Naval Forces Philippines, Commander US Facility Subic Bay and Commander in Chiefs Representative Philippines. This tour was highlighted by one coup attempt and one major earthquake. RADM Rich’s last assignment was as Chief of Navy Technical Training from 1990 till 1992. During this period there were major improvements in student course completion, retention and morale, which he attributed mostly to the actions of the Chief of Naval personnel and his predecessor.

In addition to graduating from Ga. Tech and Naval Test Pilot School, RADM Rich earned an MBA from Auburn and degrees from Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the USAF Command and Staff College. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, Republic of the Philippines Presidential Legion of honor and the lifetime Service Award by the Naval Helicopter Association. He has flown over 100 models of aircraft. Since retirement he has served on boards of Naval Helicopter Association, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army and USO. He was a trustee for two terms for the National Naval Aviation Museum. Roger and wife Glynda have been married 64 years have two married sons two granddaughters one great grandson and reside in Orange Park, Florida.