Richard Brent Tucker
August 27, 1942
FLAGLER MEN IN FOREIGN - SERVICE
A number of men from Flagler County are now serving in our armed forces in foreign fields; it is believed, because several have lately notified their families that mail should be sent in care of the postmaster in New York or San Francisco.
Brady Wadsworth, RICHARD TUCKER and Buck Durrance, Marines, present address is care postmaster. San Francisco, Clare Biddle, army flyer, is being addressed care post: master, New York City.
Others, whose foreign field is already known include: Ralph Harbert, New Caledonia; Virden Knox, and Franklin Thompson, England.
October 1, 1942
RICHARD TUCKER, Hollis Parker and Brady Wadsworth, are with their Marine outfits at Guadalcanal, writing home to say they are all OK.
October 29, 1942
A letter received here this week by Mrs. J. R. Tucker from her son, RICHARD who is in Guadalcanal, said he was OK and that there "is never a dull moment around here." RICHARD, a Marine, has been promoted to corporal.
December 24, 1942
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tucker received a letter from their son, Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER, who is on Guadalcanal, stating that he is well and hopes it won't be too long before he will, see them again.
February 25, 1943
Marines Holis Parker and RICHARD TUCKER who "resided" on Guadalcanal for many months while "entertaining" the Japs, have moved to a rest area before resuming their entertaining. Tucker sent a picture of himself to his parents here and it is so good one can count exactly the number of freckles on his face. Richard said he has gained a lot of weight since he joined the Marines, tipping the scales near the 200 pound mark now.
April 8, 1943
An interesting item concerns Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER, formerly of Guadalcanal but recently of some other place in the South Pacific. Richard sent to his parents here, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tucker, a number of samples of Jap folding money - printed in English and Japanese. Apparently the Nips issued it for use in occupied territory. To us it looked more or less like something you might cut out of the newspaper comic section. However, we certainly would like to hear the story behind that bit of Jap dough.
June 24, 1943
BUNNELL SOLDIERS HOLD REUNION IN
SOUTH PACIFICThere are many interesting highlights connected with any man's service in the military, but seldom equals that encounter by four Flagler county young men now in the South Pacific area.
A reunion, by accident, occurred recently in that area when four Marines, James Crews, Howard Bankston, RICHARD TUCKER and Holis Parker, ran into each other within an hour or so.
Marines TUCKER and Parker went to Guadalcanal with the first contingent. A few months ago Crews was shipped over and a few weeks later Bankston got over there. It seems Crews walking along a street met Bankston. 'The two went to a "canteen" and ran into TUCKER and while the three were staging a small celebration in came Holis Parker.
RICHARD TUCKER, James Crews and Howard Bankston are from Bunnell and Holis Parker is from Flagler Beach.
It is known that six other Flagler county men are now located in that area, and others are scattered in the Pacific. It is possible, but not probable, a larger get-together may be reported sometime hence.
July 8, 1943
Saw pictures this week of Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER who is in the Pacific area "somewhere." The picture showed Richard and a couple of nice looking girls and another Marine. Richard certainly looks good, he having gained many pounds since we here last saw him.
July 15, 1943
RICHARD TUCKER, down in the South Pacific, writes his mother here that he sees Howard Bankston and James Crews from Bunnell nearly every day. Recently they ran into each other "out there" and with Holis Parker of Flagler Beach held an impromptu celebration. Tucker and Parker are Guadalcanal veterans while Bankston and. Crews were shipped over recently.
July 29, 1943
It seems as if Marine Corporal RICHARD TUCKER stands by and waits awhile and first thing you know another guy from Bunnell comes along "somewhere In the South Pacific." Buck Durrance, also a Marine, told his father, John Durrance of Flagler Beach, in a letter a few days ago that he had just seen TUCKER. Recently TUCKER, Howard Bankston, Holis Parker, and James Crews ran into each down there and held a "reunion." We are glad Buck is now included.
October 7, 1943
Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tucker here, this week that he is OK. This is the first letter his parents have received since July. However, Richard informed them in his last letter home that “it may be sometime before you hear from me, but don’t worry.
November 18, 1943
A letter to his parents here from Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER said "I am on an island inhabited by black people, and my money is no good because there is no place to spend it." (Richard has been in the Pacific area, including Guadalcanal since the Marines first went in that area)
December 30, 1943
Christmas greetings received his week included cards from: Capt. and Mrs. J. R. West (Dr. Richard West), formerly of Bunnell, who is stationed at the base hospital at Boca Raton, Fla.; Ensign Corise Varn in the Waves at Charleston, S. C.; Chief and Mrs. Johnny Stanish of San Bruno, California; Lt. and Mrs. Joe Norfleet of Seattle, Wash.; Capt. and Mrs. Gilbert Tucker of Camp Davis, N. C.; Pvt. John F. Clements who is with the Marines at San Diego, Calif.; Cpl. Leonard Moody of Camp Haan, Calif.
Also a unique V-Mail greeting from Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER who has served with the Marines in the Southwest Pacific area for the past year and a half.
These greetings and letters are very deeply appreciated by both Fuller and I. I am planning to make up a scrap book of them one of these days (when I can find time) and it will be something that probably all of us as well as the coming generation will enjoy reading.
March 16, 1944
RICHARD TUCKER IS WOUNDED AT CAPE GLOUCESTER
Marine Corporal RICHARD TUCKER, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tucker of Bunnell, was wounded in action at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on February 13, Marine Corps officials in Washington have officially notified his parents here. They received the notification Tuesday.
Cpl. Tucker enlisted in the Marines at Jacksonville more than two years ago, having been overseas 22 months and having been engaged in Guadalcanal and other Pacific fighting.
The letter to his parents gave no details except to state that he had suffered an "intra-cranial" injury at Cape Gloucester.
April 20, 1944
Howard Bankston, down in the South Pacific, writes his father here that he, Jimmy Crews, Buck Durrance and RICHARD TUCKER were together at Cape Gloucester.
(Incidentally, TUCKER was wounded in that area; his parents here have been informed)
May 25, 1944
Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER who was wounded at Cape Gloucester, wrote his mother here this week that he is fine but "I don't know yet whether I will get to come home or not." He has been transferred to another base hospital.
June 8, 1944
Good news, fellows! Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER who was wounded at Cape Gloucester and has since been journeying from one hospital to another, has arrived in San Francisco and hopes to come home soon. He went into Guadalcanal with the first group of marines and saw plenty action at other spots.
June 15, 1944
Also RICHARD TUCKER, wounded at Cape Gloucester, shipped to the States and in a hospital in California, also may be sent to a hospital further up the coast. However, these are G. I. rumors.
June 22, 1944
But we hear, RICHARD TUCKER is scheduled to leave a hospital in California for home soon.
July 13, 1944
Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER, Marine, who spent 26 months in some of the toughest places in the Pacific, arrived at his home here Wednesday. He was wounded at Cape Gloucester along about last Christmas, and now has the fever. Let's hope he soon recovers.
August 24, 1944
Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER, recently home for 30 days after nearly two years in the Southwest Pacific where he was wounded at Cape Gloucester, is now in the Jacksonville Naval hospital, but was home again on week-end leave. Has malaria, we understand.
February 15, 1945
Marine Sergeant RICHARD TUCKER, Southwest Pacific veteran was home for the weekend from his present station at Ft. Lauderdale.
May 17, 1945
Marine Cpl. RICHARD TUCKER was here a few days with his bride, visiting his parents.
October 25, 1945
Discharged from the armed services this week..........
RICHARD TUCKER
