Richard E. Carey

Richard Edward Carey (January 10, 1928 – April 25, 2025) was a United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General.

Early life Carey was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 10, 1928.

Career Carey enlisted in the United States Navy's V-5 aviation cadet program in 1945. With the discontinuance of the V-5 program, he was discharged and enlisted in the Marine Corps and advanced to the rank of sergeant prior to his commissioning as a second lieutenant in 1948. As a rifle platoon commander, he participated in combat in the Korean War in the 1st Marine Division, including the Battle of Inchon and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He earned the Silver Star medal while serving as commander of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines on March 23, 1951, prior to his medical evacuation to the United States after being wounded in action.

In 1951, Carey served for a year as a company commander at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and then reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. After his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1953, Carey held a variety of squadron pilot and staff assignments including separate tours as an intelligence, maintenance, material and logistics officer in both attack and fighter squadrons. He also served as the Assistant G-4 (Logistics) for the 2nd Marine Division and spent one tour as the Aviation Logistics Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, Headquarters Marine Corps. He also had assignments in that area at the squadron, group, wing and air station levels. As a colonel, he also served as the Battle Staff Chief in the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific and later as the G-3 Officer, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. he then served on the staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. As a colonel in 1971, he commanded Marine Aircraft Group 24, with the 1st Marine Brigade at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay Hawaii.

Decorations In addition to the Silver Star, Carey's awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu of a second award; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award, the Air Medal with Numeral 15; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star; and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.