A WWII, Pearl Harbor survivor is set to be buried at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, March 26. Because he has no existing blood relatives, everyone in the community is invited to attend his service.
The service for ACRM William R. Richards, 96, will begin at 11 a.m.
According to the Patriot Guard Riders website, Richards "was a member of Torpedo Squadron 98 aboard the Battleship USS Nevada in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. During WWII, William Richards also served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-42, and the USS Yorktown CV-10. Aircraft Squadrons include Observation – 1, VT-75, VO-1, CASU-1, CASU-6, Escort Scout 23, VC-16, VT-1, and Torpedo Squadron 1 aboard the Yorktown."
Richards was honorably discharged Nov. 4, 1946. He has been awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.