Robert (Bob) Edward Richter, Sr. was born on May 5, 1937 to Frank and Gladys Richter in the Bronx, New York. He spent his career in the US Marine Corps and retired as a Captain on January 1, 1976. Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1956, where he served in the Supply field at 8th Motor Transport Company in Camp Lejeune before becoming a recruiter in the Philadelphia and San Francisco areas. As a Staff Sergeant select, Bob was appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer before completing his degree from Benjamin Franklin University and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant. As an officer, Bob served in multiple billets from Second Marine Division Fiscal Officer to Head of Resources Management before retiring as a Captain in 1976. Early in 1985, Captain Richter launched a membership drive to fellow Marine Mustangs with the intent of "enlisting" 150 Charter Members to commence a new organization that would join the Marine Corps Council of Agencies. After much effort and many hours of varying methods of correspondence and marketing, by November 1985, 183 Charter Members signed on to be the first members of this new entity. On November 10, 1985, Bob founded the Marine Corps Mustang Association, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA with the aim to “Recognize the unique nature and service of Marine Mustangs and to mentor and develop future Mustangs.” Vision in hand, Bob meticulously set to work, organizing, building, and connecting Mustangs past and present. Bob received high praise when corresponding with the 31st Commandant of the USMC, Charles C. Krulak, in the autumn of 1995 on a matter of honor requiring decisive and responsive leadership. Below are a few excerpts from General Krulak’s personal correspondence to Bob: “I felt it important for the Commandant to speak with one of his Marines and to an Association that represents so many exceptional Marines who have served their Corps and their Nation so faithfully. …I appreciate the professional manner in which you addressed [the] situation…and how you moved quickly to put it behind us. I also want to congratulate you upon assumption of duty as President of the Marine Mustang Association– an organization that I know has benefited from much of your personal dedication and commitment. I want to assure you of my personal support as you begin your term of office. The Marine [Corps] Mustang Association is truly a jewel in the Marine Corps’ crown. I fully support your organization and what it stands for.” General Charles C. Krulak, USMC 1995 Bob’s legacy continues to this day as Mustangs young and old continue to carry the torch Bob first lit decades ago. Robert Edward Richter, Sr. age 85, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Dunne) Richter, daughter Kathy Richter, and granddaughter Michelle Wulff-Richter. He leaves behind two sons Robert E Richter, Jr. and wife Rita (Lightfoot) Richter, Gene Richter, step daughter Eva (Nilson) Matlack and spouse Paul Matlack, and step daughter Noreen (Nilson) Brooks, 10 grandchildren: Johnathon Wulff and spouse Lauren, Sarah Peterman, Courtney Meiners and spouse J.P., Jennifer Richter, Justin Richter, Paul Matlack and spouse Lauren, Sean Matlack, Matthew Brooks and spouse Lindsey, Neil Brooks and Mary Grace Hesson, and he also leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren. Captain Bob Richter’s leadership, dedication, and courage will be missed but the halls of Valhalla will rejoice as he approaches, and the Gates of Heaven are a little safer after he reports in.

General Alfred M. Gray, Jr., 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, was born 22 June 1928 and hails from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1950 and served overseas with the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Pacific, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 9 April 1952. After attending The Basic School, at Quantico, Virginia, and the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he joined the 1st Marine Division in Korea. He served a tour as an artillery officer with the 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, and a subsequent tour as an infantry officer with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. In October 1953, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Returning to the United States in December 1954, Lt Gray was assigned to the 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, until August 1955, when he attended the Communications Officer School, Quantico. He was promoted to captain in July 1955. From April 1956 until May 1961, Capt Gray served overseas in special command billets. In May 1961, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Washington, D.C., for duty as special operations and plans officer, G-2 Division. During his tour he saw service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in Vietnam. He was promoted to major in February 1963. Major Gray joined the 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, in Vietnam in October 1965, serving concurrently as Regimental Communications Officer; Regimental S-3 Officer and Artillery Aerial Observer. In April 1967, he was assigned command of the Composite Artillery Battalion and the U.S. Free World Forces at Gio Linh. In September 1967, he was reassigned to the III Marine Amphibious Force in DaNang, where he commanded the 1st Radio Battalion elements throughout I Corps. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in October 1967. In February 1968, he returned to Washington, D.C., for duty with the Defense Special Projects Group as Chief, Intelligence and Operations Division. He was reassigned to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Quantico, in November 1968, and was tasked with the development of interim doctrine for employment of sensor technology in the Marine Corps. During the period of June-September 1969, LtCol Gray returned to Vietnam in conjunction with surveillance and reconnaissance matters in the I Corps Area. Upon his return to Quantico, he was assigned duty as Chief, Intelligence and Reconnaissance Division, at the Development Center, until August 1970. He attended the Command and Staff College and upon completing the course in June 1971, was transferred to the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, where he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, and Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/2. The BLT was deployed to the Mediterranean in September 1971, as part of the 34th Marine Amphibious Unit, and returned to the U.S. in March 1972. LtCol Gray commanded the 2d Marines from April through December 1972, when he was reassigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 2d Marine Division. He was promoted to colonel in August 1972. Colonel Gray attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from August 1973 to June 1974, and upon graduation, was assigned to the 3d Marine Division on Okinawa, as Commanding Officer, 4th Marines and Camp Commander, Camp Hansen. He later served as CO, 33d MAU/CO, RLT-4/DepCdr, 9th MAB, during the Southeast Asia evacuation operations. Reassigned to HQMC in August 1975, he was assigned duty as Deputy Director, Training and Education Division, Manpower Department. He was advanced to brigadier general on 24 March 1976, and presided over a special group on the Marine Corps Reserve until 11 June 1976, when he was assigned duties as Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic, and Commanding General, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade. He served as the Deputy for Development/Director, Development Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, from October 1978 to May 1981. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in January 1980 for promotion to major general. He was promoted to that grade in February 1980, with a date rank of 1 April 1976. On 4 June 1981, MajGen Gray was assigned duty as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune. Following his promotion to lieutenant general on 29 August 1984, he assumed duties as Commanding General, FMF, Atlantic/Commanding General, II MAF and Commanding General, FMF, Europe. General Gray was promoted to the rank of general and assumed the office of Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 July 1987. General Gray retired on 30 June 1991 and resides in the Northern Virginia area. General Gray’s personal decorations and awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal; the Silver Star Medal; the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” and a gold star in lieu of a second award; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” and three gold stars in lieu of second, third and fourth awards; the Purple Heart with a gold star in lieu of a second Purple Heart; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Navy Commendation Medal; and the Combat Action Ribbon with a gold star in lieu of a second award.