RIVERS-WENDELL

RIVERS, WENDELL BURKE Captain, USN (Ret.)

America has lost one of its greatest heroes; a man of unwavering honor, immutable commitment, keen intelligence and an abiding love for his country, God and family. A true leader, Wendell (Wendy to his friends) was respected and admired by all who knew him.

Wendell Burke Rivers, 80, of San Antonio. TX died May 9,2009 of cancer. Captain Rivers was bom July 6,1928 inSeward, Nebraska.

Captain Rivers graduated from Seward High School, class of 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946, then received his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1948 and graduated in the USNA's Class of 1952. Wendell was trained as a fighter pilot and had a distinguished Naval career, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He deployed on his last cruise to Vietnam in 1964. aboard the USS Coral Sea. He was captured in North Vietnam on September 10, 1965 and was released on February 12,1973. During his distinguished career, he earned many awards, the most significant of which are: the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal.

After 27 years of service, Captain Rivers retired from the Navy on December 31,1976 and enjoyed a second career as a long-haul truck driver for another 20 years.

Wendy had many interests over his lifetime but never lost interest in his love for the Huskers. He remained a loyal Busker fan until his last hours.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Stephen Clayton Rivers (2005); his brother, Roland Bruce Rivers (1990); and a sister, Phyllis Marillyn Johnson (2006).

Wendy leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 28 years, Betty H. Rivers; a daughter, Charlotte Gex Morgan; a son, Stewart Blake Rivers (Debra); a stepson. David Fielding Pettijohn and stepdaughter, Darcy Lu Osbome (Ron). He also leaves behind a brother, Leslie Dwight Rivers (Judy); a brother-in-law, Robert Johnson; a sister-in-law, Priscilla Rivers; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A grateful nation mourns the loss of one of its very finest men. We are safer today because of dedicated heroes Hke Wendy who ensure our freedom. His superior standards of ethics and service; honor, dependability, intelligence and good nature made him easy to love. We will cherish his memory, and miss him every day of our lives.

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RIP 05/09/2009

Name: Wendell Burke Rivers

Rank/Branch: United States Navy/05

Unit: VA 155 15 AIR WING/USS Coral Sea

Date of Birth: 06 July 1928

Home City of Record: Seward NE

Date of Loss: 10 September 1965

Country of Loss: North Vietnam

Loss Coordinates: 183500 North 1054600 East (at Vinh)

Status {in 1973): Returnee

Category:

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4E

Missions: 96

Korea - Destroyer

Other Personnel in Incident: none       _v Refno: 0141

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.

REMARKS: 730212 RELEASED BY DRV

SOURCE: WE CAME HOME  copyright 1977

Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor

P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602

Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and

spelling errors).

WENDELL B. RIVERS Captain - United States Navy Shot Down: September 10, 1965 Released: February 12, 1973

Born in Seward, Nebraska on 6 July 1928. Reared in this community and following graduation from high school in 1946, I enlisted in the US Navy. I received my appointment to the US Naval Academy from the fleet in 1948 and graduated from Annapolis in 1952, receiving my commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Following a brief tour on a destroyer off Korea, I entered flight training in 1953 and received my wings in March 1954. Subsequent assignments have been in Naval aviation on the West Coast at San Diego, Moffett Field, Monterey, Point Mugu, and Lemoore.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Stephen Clayton Rivers (2005); his brother, Roland Bruce Rivers (1990); and a sister, Phyllis Marillyn Johnson (2006).