Richard Garner Buchanan

Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy (Retired), age 76, Brownsburg, died January 7, 2021.  He was born January 22, 1944 in Lebanon, Indiana, the son of the late Noble C. Buchanan and Catherine Esther (Garner) Buchanan.

He was a 1962 graduate of Brownsburg High School and he enlisted in the Navy on June 18, 1962 and served twenty years active Naval service, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer on February 28, 1982.  Richard served onboard several ships and at numerous shore commands during his career which included service as naval advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy from 1969-1970, during the height of the Vietnam conflict.  He received a "Field Promotion" to Petty Officer First Class and the Vietnam Staff Service Honor Medal (2 ^nd Class) for his meritorious service to the South Vietnamese Navy.  During his twenty year Naval career, Richard was awarded sixteen medals and decorations from the United States Navy and the Republic of South Vietnam Navy.  These included the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct (4 awards), Vietnam Service Medal (3 awards), Republic of Vietnam Staff Honor Medal 2 ^nd class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit citation (with Palm) and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (with Palm).

Richard retired from the Indiana State Department of Health in 2001 where he was a program director in the Division of Long Term Care.  His affiliations included U. S. Navy Memorial Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fleet Reserve Association, Tin Can Sailors Association, USS Plymouth Rock (LSD 29) Association, and the USS Trathen (DD 530) Association.

He is survived by his wife Violet (Schembri), formerly of the Rock of Gibraltar, whom he married on December 14, 1968; daughter Monica Fivecoat of Brownsburg; son Keith (Kelly) Buchanan of Denver, CO; two grandchildren Joshua and Tiffany Chapman of Brownsburg.  Richard was preceded in death by sisters Sharon DiDomenico and Sandra Jean Boll and a brother Allen "Bud" Buchanan.

Visitation will be from 4-7pm Monday January 11 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with funeral services there at 11am Tuesday January 12.  Burial with military honors will follow in Brownsburg Cemetery.  In compliance with current regulations and restrictions, guests are required to wear masks and observe social distancing.