A portion of Ohio St. Rt. 47 north highway will be dedicated to fallen Darke County Vietnam War hero, Private First Class John Wayne Richard, who died in action on May 21, 1969. State Representative Angie King of Ohio District 84 presented legislation to honor Richard. House Bill 50 was passed and signed by Governor Dewine in July 2025.
Fort GreeneVille DAR Chapter will host the Richard family, friends, Veterans, class mates, and the community on Saturday, September 20 to dedicate the highway in honor of Private First Class John Wayne Richard. Jim Buchy will be the Master of Ceremony.
John Wayne Richard was born on Monday, October 17th, 1949, to Leroy and Dorotha Richard. He lived his entire life in Versailles, Ohio, and was a 1968 Versailles High School graduate. He was the third of five children, having an older brother and sister, Jim and Jane, and younger siblings, a sister and brother, Kathy and Fred.
Private First Class John Wayne Richard served honorably in the United States Army with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, A Company. He died in Long An Province, southwest of Saigon, on the south bank of the Vam Co Dong River on May 21, 1969.
The September 20 dedication will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8440 OH-47, Versailles, Ohio, at 11:00am. Following the ceremony will be a procession to the sign unveiling at Saint Valbert Cemetery located on St Rt 47 & Long Rd. with the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard and wreath honors by the Versailles Alumni. Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.
