Background
Richard Isaac Aldrich was born on March 25, 1919 in Sullivan County, New York. He attended Grammar School and worked as a carpenter.
On February 13, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army for the Philippines Department as a Private with serial number 32042447. As a Private First Class, he was assigned to Company A, 72nd 72nd Infantry Brigade at Camp Hulen in Texas. Later, assigned to the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Wartime History
During the Pacific War, Aldrich was sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
He was assigned to the 3425th Ordnance Medium Maintenance (MM) Company (Q) Aviation (3425th Ord. Co. M.M. (Q) at Port Moresby in New Guinea.
On January 25, 1944 drown at 17 Mile Saw Mill swimming in the nearby river and his body was recovered. Although taken to the hospital, he was presumed dead due to drowning classified as "injury, non-battle".
Memorials
Aldrich was officially declared dead on January 25, 1944 at age 24. On January 28, 1944 he was initially buried at Hanuabada Cemetery (USAF Cemetery #1) at grave 440 marked with a cross. During April 1947, disinterred and transported to Ipswich Cemetery (USAF Cemetery Brisbane) and buried at grave 1293. During September 1947 disinterred again then embarked aboard SS Goucher Victory and transported the United States for permanent burial. On March 4, 1948 he was buried at Grahamsville Rural Cemetery in Grahamsville, NY. His grave reads: "In Memory of SSgt Richard I. Aldrich 3425th Ord. Co. M.M. March 25, 1919 • Jan. 25, 1944 died in service at Port Moresby New Guinea".
Relatives
Zopher Aldrich (father) Poughkeepsie, NY
Marie Patton (sister) Oneonta, NY
Sylvia Ballo (niece) Scotia, NY
Maxine Getty (niece) Scotia, NY
References
Selective Service Registration Card - Richard Isaac Aldrich, October 16, 1940
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard I. Aldrich
U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card - Richard I. Aldrich, January 1944 drowning
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) -
Richard I. Aldrich
The Saugerties Telegram "Ulster County Soldier Killed in Pacific Area" February 11, 1944 page 2
"Master [sic Staff] Sergeant Richard Aldrich of Highland, Ulster County, has been killed in action [sic drown] in New Guinea, according to word received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Zopher Aldrich"
The Kingston Daily Freeman "Soldiers' Bodies Will Arrive in Kingston Friday" March 4, 1948 page 1, column 5
"The body of one area serviceman killed in action during World War 2 has arrived in Kingston this week for burial elsewhere, and two more will arrive on the 11:45 a.m. West Shore train Friday, James Krom, chairman of the committee of arrangements for the Kingston Veteran's Association, said today. The one body returned this week was that of S/Sgt. Richard I. Aldrich of Grahamsville who was killed January 25, 1944 at Port Moresby, New Guinea. The two scheduled to arrive here Friday are P.F.C. William F. Weiss and Pvt. Howard C. Mack. S/Sgt. Richard I. Aldrich's body arrived on the 2:25 p.m. train Tuesday escorted by S/Sgt. Frederick W. Wax. A color guard of the Kingston Veterans association met the body. Those at the station were Clarence L. Hyde, Louis Todoroff, Thomas Bohan and Roy Jacobs. Others representing the K.V.A were County American Legion Commander Philip Schantz, Daniel Warren, John R. Mayone, James Plunkett, John McManus, Raymond Mino, John Tyler, Morgan Ryan, Donald Moore and James Krom. Later a police escort furnished by the Kingston Police Department accompanied the body to the city line and from that point an escort supplied by the sheriff's office escorted the body to the Pulling Funeral Home in Ellenville. His burial took place today at 2 p.m., from the Grahamsville Reformed Church. Burial was in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery with the Rev. Mr. Carter and the Rev. I. A. Marsland, Jr., officiating. Bearers at the funeral were Harold Patten, Jack Kuntsberger, Orland Erath and Arthur Ackerley. Representatives of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Jewish War Veterans, all of Ellenville, and the Woodbourne firing squad were at the funeral. S/Sgt. Aldrich was born March 25, 1919 and entered service February, 1941, it was announce by the Pulling Funeral Home."
Application For Headstone Or Marker -
Richard I. Aldrich, March 4, 1948
FindAGrave - SSGT Richard I. Aldrich (news, grave photo)
Hudson Valley Country "Unclaimed Headstone Found In A House In Poughkeepsie, NY" by Paty Quyn May 4, 2022
Times Union "Mysterious headstone a reminder of post-war repatriation effort" by Chris Carola May 30, 2022
Thanks to Katherine Rasdorf
and Chris Carola for additional information
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