Richard M. Cassone
2013
Ricky was born in Stamford where he attended Westover, Rippowam Magnet Middle School and Westhill High School. After spending a year at the University of Connecticut, he decided to expand his education by enlisting with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005.
Ricky graduated from boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, earning the Corps’ highest “Expert” ranking in marksmanship.
After combat training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Ricky was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. From there, he first deployed in 2006 to the war in Iraq with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, before becoming a member of First ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) where he learned to coordinate combat operations between the coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. After one other tour in Iraq during the 2007 surge in the Anbar Province, Ricky extended his four-year commitment to be deployed in Afghanistan, where he was ahead of and helped shape the 2010 troop surge in and around Marjah in the Helmand Province. There Ricky and one other Marine, his radioman, were helicopter dropped with British and Afghan troops in forward operating areas where they engaged the Taliban every day in firefights and by directing air and artillery support.
Upon his return to the States, Ricky was cited for his actions in combat. He left active duty in the fall of 2010 and resumed his education at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he has excelled in academics, varsity football and in extracurricular cross-fit competitions.