Wendy enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and received his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1948. He graduated in the USNA class of 1952. Trained as a fighter pilot, he had a distinguished naval career, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He deployed on his last cruise to Vietnam in 1964 aboard the USS Coral Sea. He was captured in North Vietnam on September 10, 1965, and was released on February 12, 1973. After 27 years of service, Captain Rivers retired from the Navy on December 31, 1976, and had a second career as a long-haul truck driver for another 20 years.
Wendell is my 5th cousin once removed. Our common grandparents are Miriam Hildreth and Joseph Richardson. He is survived by 2 sons.
