SUNY Cortland Athletics

A four-sport athlete at Cortland, Richard Bianchino became a highly decorated Marine Corps officer and pilot whose repeated courage and valor in the face of danger saved lives and earned him a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and the Republic of Vietnam Air Cross of Gallantry.

The Albany (N.Y.) High School graduate and exceptional scholastic athlete majored in physical education at Cortland. He played halfback and safety in football, was among the state’s fastest track sprinters, competed as a lacrosse midfielder and performed on parallel bars and vault at the NCAA Eastern Regional gymnastics meet.

Bianchino was vice president of his class, active in the Men’s Glee Club, Dance Club, Social Activities Council, Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity and was a residence hall counselor.
He graduated from Cortland in 1963 and later earned a master’s degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University.

In 1963, he began his long career with the U.S. Marine Corps. Over the next three years, he served in both the U.S. and in Vietnam as an infantry officer with the 3rd Marine Div., and infantry company commander with the 1st Marine Div. Promoted to captain, he was staff platoon commander and instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, Va.

Bianchino became a student at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., where Roger Staubach quarterbacked his Navy Goshawks football squad.

In 1969, he returned to Vietnam as a pilot with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, the most decorated squadron in Vietnam and the unit with the highest casualty rate. Bianchino suffered severe wounds in April 1969 when his helicopter was shot down attempting to save trapped Marines. He returned to duty as instructor pilot in Florida, where he was promoted to major.

In 1975, as a commanding officer, he helped to design and execute the plan for the safe evacuation of U.S. forces and civilians from the city of Saigon. From 1975-78, he was head of the Marine Corps Sports Unit, served on the U.S. Olympic delegation to Montreal, and mentored fellow U.S. Marines and Olympic boxer Leon Spinks.

In January 1979, he nicknamed his newly activated helicopter squadron the “Red Dragons” in deference to his alma mater. The squadron, still known by the same name, has been honored for its actions in combat situations and worldwide disaster relief operations.

Bianchino served as executive assistant to the chief of staff for the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii and was an associate professor and director of the University of Washington Navy ROTC, before retiring in 1987.

He was staff manager of human resources for McDonnell-Douglas Corp. and worked for Interstate Specialty Marketing in California. He now presides over real estate and marketing firms. Assisting the sick and youth groups for nearly 30 years with the Knights of Columbus, Bianchino has been active with local organizations to provide high school scholarships for budding artists and to paint the homes of elderly and disabled residents. He and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters, Leah and Nicole.

UPDATE (5/29/18): Richard was selected for membership in the “Early and Pioneer Naval Aviation Association”, better known as  “The Golden Eagles”. Established in 1956 as a living memorial to Naval Aviation, the Golden Eagles is the most prestigious group of Naval Aviators, and includes admirals, generals, astronauts, aces, innovators, inventors and leaders, who during their service were pioneers in the development of new concepts, received special recognition for outstanding performance, and who otherwise warrant special consideration. Membership is limited to only 200 active members.