LODI — Richard Pittman was characterized as a fun-loving and loyal Marine who gained the respect of fellow Medal of Honor recipients during a memorial service for the Stockton native. He died last week at the age of 71 after a series of illnesses.
Pittman was awarded the country’s highest honor for bravery for coming to the rescue of his Marine unit after it was ambushed during the Vietnam War. He grabbed a machine gun and charged up a ridge alone to fend off over three dozen attackers.
Fellow marines spoke highly of Pittman, who was turned down for enlistment by the Army and the Navy because of poor eyesight.
He finally latched on to a Marine reserve unit before being sent overseas.
Half a dozen Medal of Honor winners attended services and retired Colonel Jay Vargas, also a Medal of Honor recipient, said he was a legend among the small fraternity of his peers.
One of his four daughters, Richelle Pittman, said he cared most about his family.
“Dad’s children and grandchildren were his medals, his source of true pride and honor,” she said.
An impressive ceremony was held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi with full military honors, which included a Marine detachment and a Marine band.
