Funeral for Lt Richard Best, USN (Ret)
John Lawson
that discusses the Battle of Midway and other related topics). "Bill"
is William Price, the moderator of the Roundtable, who attended the
funeral. Also reproduced is the obituary written by Barrett Tillman,
former editor of "The Hook" and a noted aviation author.
Semper Fi
John
The Funeral for Dick Best was held at the Ft. Myer Chapel and
Arlington Cemetery on the sunny and warm afternoon of Thursday
December 6. Present from the Roundtable were Richard Leonard and
Gary Adams. As a guest, we had Col. Herbert Lasngenfeld, USMC (Ret.)
Whitey Feightner made wonderful arrangements including a fly
over of five FA-18 Hornets from Oceana NAS. I could be wrong on the
planes because I was squinting through a video camera. Present for
the services were Dick's daughter and son. The daughter lives near
Aspen Hills by Silver Spring. She was in a wheel chair and has not
been well. The son lived with his father in Santa Monica. Honorary
Pallbearers included ADM Thomas Moorer, Lt. Gen. Tom Miller (USMC),
Lt. Gen. Bill Fitch (USMC), VADM Robert Dunn, RADM Edward (Whitey)
Feightner and Dr. Jim D'Angelo, founder of IMMF.
The service started in the Chapel when the Navy Band and
Honor Guard took position prior to the arrival of Dick Best's
children. After their arrival, a horse drawn caisson brought the
remains of CDR Best. The sailors were in Dress Winter Blues, and two
sailors brought the remains in a gold vase and a special United
States flag into the chapel. A Navy Chaplain conducted the services,
and special eulogies were given by CAPT William Bull and Richard Best
II. CAPT Bull had attended the Naval Academy with Dick Best and
shared with us some of their moments in Annapolis and Washington.
The son is at least 6'2" if not more. Many of those who had served
with Dick were present.
The group then followed the caisson and the daughter and son
through Arlington National Cemetery to the site where the "burial"
services were held. This was a special open area near the visitors
center. The Navy Honor Guard and Navy band lead the procession
through the cemetery. When the family was seated as an honor
detachment held an American flag over the urn, a flight of aircraft
appeared from over the Pentagon, headed across the cemetery and out
over Georgetown University. When the services were concluded, the
flag was folded and presented to the daughter by the Chaplain.
As I walked over toward two Navy pilots from Oceana, a
gentleman came up and said, "Well. I finally meet you when you are
not behind the keyboard." At first I was confused because I didn't
play the organ at the services. This gentleman presented himself as
none other than Rich Leonard. Then I understood "the keyboard". He
had driven up from Richmond for the services. His father was XO of
VF-3 and served with Dick Best at Midway.
Following the graveside services, a reception was held at
Spates Hall, Ft. Myer.
Whitey Feightner did a remarkable job in bringing everything
together, and Barrett Tillman wrote a beautiful obituary for the
program. Perhaps Barrett could send us a copy so I wouldn't have to
OCR it.
Most of the time at such funerals, I have stayed outside the
Chapel to photograph events. But this time, while I sat in the
Chapel, I could hear behind me the hoofs of the horses on the
pavement. I knew that it signaled the arrival of the caisson with
the special casket, and the sound, by itself, gave me an eerie
feeling.
We have sadly seen another of our heroes of Midway embark on
the final flight.
Bill
http://www.centuryinter.net/midway
http://www.history.navy.mil/midway.htm
http://www.combinedfleet.com
DICK BEST
LCDR Richard H. Best (ret), one of the most significant attack
pilots in Naval Aviation history, died in Santa Monica, Calif., on 28
October 2001. He was 92.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Best graduated from Annapolis
in 1932 and earned his Wings of Gold three years later. From 1936 to
1938 he was one of the few officers in VF-2, the famous Flying
Chiefs, considered the most professional squadron in the Navy.
Subsequently he instructed at Pensacola but returned to the fleet in
1940.
Best requested scout-bombers, feeling that he could best serve
in SBDs during the war he anticipated with Japan. Fortunately for the
American cause, BuPers granted the request and Best joined VB-6 in
USS Enterprise (CV-6). He remained aboard for the next two years,
leading the squadron during the hit-and-run raids following Pearl
Harbor.
On 4 June 1942 Best led Bombing 6 on both strikes against the
Japanese carriers in the historic Battle of Midway. On the morning
mission he sank HIJMS Akagi with only two wingmen; that evening he
helped destroy Hiryu. It was his last day in the cockpit A freak
oxygen bottle accident resulted in tuberculosis that grounded Best
immediately. Two years later he was medically retired as a lieutenant
commander.
After the war Best recovered enough to accept a position with
the Rand Corporation, remaining in 1975. He was active in Golden
Eagles and Tailhook, and made a point of attending Hook 93 to
demonstrate his support of the organization. Considering his historic
role in Naval Aviation’s greatest victory, he noted that the last day
he touched a stick he sank two enemy carriers, adding “You couldn’t
end a career better than that in 30 or 40 years!”
He is survived by a daughter and son and grandchild.
Break-break. BOMers see “Where Are They Now?” The Hook, Spring 1996
Charlie Wolf
wrote:
snipped...
> It was his last day in the cockpit A freak
>oxygen bottle accident resulted in tuberculosis that grounded Best
>immediately. Two years later he was medically retired as a lieutenant
>commander.
snipped...
Say what?????
Regards,
John Lawson
interviewed him a number of times). There were some sort of impurities in
the bottle that he breathed enroute to the first attack on the
carriers...the impurities triggered the TB.
A shame, as from all accounts, Best was a hell of a pilot and a good
leader. But...to kinda paraphrase what he said...he dropped two bombs,
hit two carriers, and it couldn't get any better than that.
Semper Fi
John