SSG RONALD N. RICHERSON
Killed
in action by a remotely-detonated mine on August 8, 1993
during Operation Restore Hope - Mogadishu, Somalia
Taken from:
UNITED STATES ARMY MILITARY POLICE HISTORY
HISTORY FROM 1986
(http://www.usma.edu/dmi/MT/Branches/MP/mph2f.html)
August 8, 1993 - Near the Medina marketplace, in Mogadishu, Somalia, at just before 9:00 a.m., a command-detonated mine, containing approximately 50 pounds of explosives, is detonated under a military police patrol.
A second trail vehicle, with five MP, assists the mortally wounded driver and secure the scene. Eight other MP teams quickly arrive and assist until a QRF from the 10th Mountain Division arrives.
Killed in the explosion are the driver and three other MP's:
- SPC Mark Gutting, age 25, from Grand Rapids, Michigan
- SPC Keith Pearson, age 25, from Tavares, Florida
- SGT Christopher Hilgert, age 27, from Danville, Indiana, all members of the 977th MP Company, Fort Riley, Kansas
- SSG Ronald Richerson, age 24, from Portage, Indiana, a member of the 300th MP Company, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
A MONUMENT honoring soldiers from the 716th Military Police Battalion killed in the line of duty was scheduled to be dedicated Sept. 30 at Fort Riley, Kan.
The monument, to be erected in front of the battalion headquarters, will honor battalion soldiers lost in conflicts from World War II to Somalia. The three Fort Riley MPs killed in Somalia were Sgt. Christopher Hilgert, Sgt. Keith Pearson and Spec. Mark Gutting.
In addition to
the monument, the 716th MP Bn. Memorial Association plans to sponsor
and provide scholarships.
MEMORIAL
FROM MICHAEL A. BAKER
I had the honor of serving with Ron, I was in Third Platoon and he was one of the squad leaders of the platoon. Ron was there the day me and my gunner Brian Roberson(SFC now) were shot. I remember Ron in the recovery room as I woke up from surgery and he and the rest of the platoon were all joined hand and hand in prayer for our fast and safe recovery. The day Ron was killed was a day that I will nevr forget. Ron was a church going, loving father and a great husband, most of all he was a dedicated soldier and always throught of his soldiers first. If there is anything that you need to know about Ron please let me know, all of my photos from that deployment were lost when I moved, hopefully someone will come forward with some.
Michael A Baker
