A Marine's Story: Corporal Richard Leroy Fly

 

In Jackson, Tennessee, Corporal Richard Leroy "Buddy" Fly was born on December 18, 1924.

His family relocated to Natchez, Mississippi, while he was young, and he was raised on a small farm outside of town.

Corporal Richard Fly enlisted in the US Marine Corps on June 30, 1942, and served in the Pacific theater during World War II.

After the war, Corporal Fly returned to Mississippi and worked in hardware sales.  During his free time, he volunteered as a courtesy shuttle driver.  Corporal Fly also loved looking for and restoring old relics that he found.

Before his death on September 23, 2012, his niece Debbie Bewley was able to collect his stories about his life, and they are published in the book "Fly Like an Angel: A True Story of Life, Faith, and Compassion" (my review here).  

Corporal Richard Leroy "Buddy" Fly rests at the Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi.

* Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here*

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: Natchez, MS 39120, USA

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