Fallen Warrior

John Walter Ripley
Colonel, United States Marine Corps (Retired)
1939 — 2008

Rest in Peace, Sir
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Colonel Ripley enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1957; within a year, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps, and after completing The Basic School, he joined the Marine Detachment on the USS Independence.

Completing he tour of sea duty, he joined the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. In May 1965, Ripley was transferred to the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, and after training he deployed to Vietnam with his platoon.

In October 1966, Col. Ripley joined the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in South Vietnam, I Corps. He served as company commander of Lima Company, which became known as Ripley’s Raiders. He was wounded in action, but returned to active duty and completed his combat tour.

During his two years of Vietnam service, Ripley participated in 26 major operations. In addition to numerous decorations, Ripley was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in destroying the Dong Ha bridge during the 1972 North Vietnamese Easter Offensive.

Following service in Vietnam, Riply served with Marine Force Reconnaissance, was an exchange officer with the British Royal Marines, commanded 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and the 2nd Marine Regiment. His final tour in the Marine Corps was as Officer in C harge of the NROTC Detachments at Oregon State University and the Virginia Military Institute, and as Senior Marine Corps instructor at the U. S. Naval Academy, where he taught English and History. Colonel Ripley retired after 35 years of active duty service in 1992.

In addition to the Navy Cross, his personal decorations include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat 'V', the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the South Vietnamese Army Distinguished Service Order, 2nd Class, and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

During his post-retirement years, Colonel Ripley was president and chancellor of Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia and subsequently as president of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. He was selected by the Marine Corps Commandant in 1999 to be the director of the Corps' History and Museums Division.

In October 2006, John Ripley returned to the site of the Dong Ha Bridge to film a documentary of his exploits. The documentary was hosted by Oliver North, and was shown on November 12, 2006 on Fox News.