Richard Lee Doak – First Lieutenant, United States Army

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Dear Mr. Patterson:

My father served in both WW2 and Korea. He volunteered in World War II and dropped out of the University of Missouri to do so. He trained in tank destroyers at Fort Hood, Texas, then was switched to the infantry and moved to the Americal division as an infantry officer. He was one of the first officers on the ground in Japan prior to the occupation.

The photo of my Father is from World War II.

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He saw much more action in Korea. He was an Army reservist and was the first officer in the reserves processed in Missouri and was sent immediately to Korea. He was involved in the Hungnam withdrawl. He served with Colonel
William J. McCaffery and talked fondly of serving with him. In fact, he credits McCaffery with saving his life by making him company executive officer. McCaffery did this after witnessing my fathers platoon taking and attempting
to take many hills. McCaffery became fond of him because he lasted a long time. He said to “Get Doak out of there” and he became company executive officer and survived the war. (Colonial McCaffery was interred in 2006 in Arlington.) Ido not see a grave site listing for McCaffery but would like to know where he is located in order to visit him. Hope you can help with that?

He was never wounded but did develop TB which hospitalized him for 6 months after the war.
Thank you for doing this for our veterans.

Mike Doak, June 2007

Richard Doak, 1922-2007
Published Monday, January 8, 2007

Richard L. Doak of Stover passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at the age of 84 after a brief battle with cancer.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 50 S.W. 150 Highway in Lee’s Summit. Arrangements were made through Langsford Funeral Home, 115 S.W. Third St., Lee’s Summit, Mo., 64063; (816) 524-3700. Interment will be private at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Doak, born on December 24, 1922, was the second of seven children born to Grace Bryan Tarwater Doak and Edgar Parker Doak. As a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Mr. Doak interrupted his college education to volunteer for service in the United States Army in World War II. On August 19, 1944, he married Virginia Ray McClesky in Tyler, Texas. Upon his return from the war, Mr. Doak completed his undergraduate education, receiving a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He again served his country as an infantry platoon leader, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Polar Bear Regiment, Charlie Company, during the Korean War and was modest about his military service, happy to return to the peace and quiet of his farm.

The couple returned to Missouri after his tours of military service and raised four children together. Mr. Doak later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and served as a teacher at Payne School near Centralia, and as an elementary principal at Hallsville, Jefferson City and Versailles. He retired from teaching in 1985. All four of his children graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. An avid sports fan, he loved Mizzou football and Cardinals baseball.

Mr. Doak’s career in education and his early retirement allowed him the time and flexibility to work on his farm and pursue his life-long pastime – raising and showing Southdown sheep. Many of his closest friendships developed with people he met in the sheep business. He was well-liked and will be remembered for his quiet personality and dry wit. He was in his element in the sale and show ring.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; brothers Bill Doak of Vandalia, Doug and his wife, Pat, of Ames, Iowa, John Doak of Bowie, Texas, and Dr. R.S. Doak of Lakewood, Colorado; sister Dottie Thompson of San Luis Obispo, California; sons David Doak of Arlington, Virginia, Mitch and wife, Sherry, of Liberty, Mike and his wife, Mendy, of Lee’s Summit; daughter Pam and her husband, Rich Gray, of Barrington, Ill.; three granddaughters, Natalie and Hayley Gray and Emily Doak; and many fond nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Doak of Collins, Iowa.

He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice or to one of the following: Bothwell Regional Health Center Foundation or MDA/ALS Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

DOAK, RICHARD L
1LT   US ARMY
WORLD WAR II, KOREA

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/24/1922
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/05/2007
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 64  SITE 5590
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

DOAK, VIRGINIA

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/08/1922
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/19/2007
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 64  SITE 5590
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF DOAK, RICHARD L 1LT US ARMY

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