Rio Americano High School Alumni
Sacramento, California (CA)
Recent Members
| Dave Forbess | 1967 |
| Joan Johnson | 1980 |
| Leslie O’riordan | 1992 |
| Marcia J Russell Wilson | 1967 |
| Olive Richards | 2023 |
| Paul Au | 2000 |
| Sans Thompson | 1967 |
| Tom Franzoia | 1971 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Rio Americano High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Raiders lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Alyssa Batista
Class of 1997
Navy, 9 Years
Still serving in the Navy started out as a deck seaman, then when to hospital corpsmen school then went to laboratory school and now back on a ship in va
Class of 1997
Navy, 9 Years
Still serving in the Navy started out as a deck seaman, then when to hospital corpsmen school then went to laboratory school and now back on a ship in va
Barry Hurff
Class of 1967
Army, 12 Years
Barry served in the Army Reserves and did reserve training with the National Guard. He was discharged in 1980.
Class of 1967
Army, 12 Years
Barry served in the Army Reserves and did reserve training with the National Guard. He was discharged in 1980.
Bill Maciel
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Bill enlisted in the USMC and served in Vietnam '69 - '71
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Bill enlisted in the USMC and served in Vietnam '69 - '71
Bill Manders
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined the Navy in 1982 and became an Electronics Technician (ET). Served as an enlisted man for 10 years before getting a commission via the Limited Duty Officer program. Went on to serve another 21 years until I retired from active duty in March of 2013 as a Commander.
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined the Navy in 1982 and became an Electronics Technician (ET). Served as an enlisted man for 10 years before getting a commission via the Limited Duty Officer program. Went on to serve another 21 years until I retired from active duty in March of 2013 as a Commander.
Chris Hay
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 12 Years
F-18 Hornet pilot. Deployed to Afghanistan winter 2006 with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment as their air operations advisor. Currently an instructor for the advance training jet, Meridian Mississippi.
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 12 Years
F-18 Hornet pilot. Deployed to Afghanistan winter 2006 with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment as their air operations advisor. Currently an instructor for the advance training jet, Meridian Mississippi.
Dana Copeland
Class of 2003
Air Force, 1 Years
Currently serving in the Isreali Air Force as of Janurary 2005.
Class of 2003
Air Force, 1 Years
Currently serving in the Isreali Air Force as of Janurary 2005.
Danny Twitty KIA: VIETNAM
Class of 1967
Army, 1 Years
Danny enlisted in the Army in 1967. When Danny completed jump school his father's WWII Paratrooper Wings were pinned on his chest at the airborne graduation ceremony. He was airlifted to Vietnam on December 14, 1967. Danny was killed on April 6, 1968 in the last days of the historic TET Offensive on 1968 at Khe Sahn, Quang Tri Province. Danny died of wounds from an enemy mortar shell. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Danny was the first Rio alumnus to die in combat. He was 19 years old.
Class of 1967
Army, 1 Years
Danny enlisted in the Army in 1967. When Danny completed jump school his father's WWII Paratrooper Wings were pinned on his chest at the airborne graduation ceremony. He was airlifted to Vietnam on December 14, 1967. Danny was killed on April 6, 1968 in the last days of the historic TET Offensive on 1968 at Khe Sahn, Quang Tri Province. Danny died of wounds from an enemy mortar shell. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Danny was the first Rio alumnus to die in combat. He was 19 years old.
Dave Gretch
Class of 1967
Coast Guard, 4 Years
Dave enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1967.
Class of 1967
Coast Guard, 4 Years
Dave enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1967.
Don Dickman
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Don enlisted in 1967 and served until 1971
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Don enlisted in 1967 and served until 1971
Frank Drew Harrison
Class of 1969
Navy, 3 Years
Served on 2 cruises to Vietnam aboard USS Ranger with VF21 Freelancers as avionics tech.
Class of 1969
Navy, 3 Years
Served on 2 cruises to Vietnam aboard USS Ranger with VF21 Freelancers as avionics tech.
Gloria (Beaver) Bratton
Class of 1968
Navy, 3 Years
Attended bootcamp at Bainbridge, MD, then U.S.N. Radioman School at the same location. Spent two years at CNO's Communication Center, Pentagon, Wash DC.
Class of 1968
Navy, 3 Years
Attended bootcamp at Bainbridge, MD, then U.S.N. Radioman School at the same location. Spent two years at CNO's Communication Center, Pentagon, Wash DC.
Gordon Smith
Class of 1967
Air Force, 3 Years
VIETNAM SERVICE: I served one year (8/70-8/71) in the 834th Air Division as a Mission Controller at "Rocket Alley" Airlift Command Element, Bien Hoa AB. We controlled the tactical combat support missions of all the in-country C-7s, C-123s & C130s. Most of my work was in the elevated control room on the radios talking to our planes and support agencies, occasionally I worked the airfield cargo ramps troubleshooting as a "Ramp Coordinaor" in a pickup truck and on the voulteer basis I served off-base as an in-country ALCE courier which allowed me to fly to many allied base camps throughout South Vietnam.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 3 Years
VIETNAM SERVICE: I served one year (8/70-8/71) in the 834th Air Division as a Mission Controller at "Rocket Alley" Airlift Command Element, Bien Hoa AB. We controlled the tactical combat support missions of all the in-country C-7s, C-123s & C130s. Most of my work was in the elevated control room on the radios talking to our planes and support agencies, occasionally I worked the airfield cargo ramps troubleshooting as a "Ramp Coordinaor" in a pickup truck and on the voulteer basis I served off-base as an in-country ALCE courier which allowed me to fly to many allied base camps throughout South Vietnam.
Jim Harris
Class of 1967
Navy, 4 Years
Jim dropped out in 1966 and joined the Navy. Jim served on tugboats in Vietnam at Chu Lai and Danang '67 - '68
Class of 1967
Navy, 4 Years
Jim dropped out in 1966 and joined the Navy. Jim served on tugboats in Vietnam at Chu Lai and Danang '67 - '68
Jim Hyler
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Jim enlisted in the Army, served with D Troop 3/5 Cav, 9th Infantry Division, Jim flew in OH6 & UH1 "Hueys" as a crew chief and door gunner. Jim was awarded the Air Medal for "Valor" (heroics) Vietnam '68 - '69
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Jim enlisted in the Army, served with D Troop 3/5 Cav, 9th Infantry Division, Jim flew in OH6 & UH1 "Hueys" as a crew chief and door gunner. Jim was awarded the Air Medal for "Valor" (heroics) Vietnam '68 - '69
Joe Vassar
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Joe served in combat with an artillery unit in Vietnam. Returned stateside and selected and served as a USMC recruiter.
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Joe served in combat with an artillery unit in Vietnam. Returned stateside and selected and served as a USMC recruiter.
John Cassie
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
John was drafted into the Army and was in heavy combat in Vietnam
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
John was drafted into the Army and was in heavy combat in Vietnam
John Holden
Class of 1981
Air Force, 6 Years
Security Specialist, 3 years Europe service, Space command Vandenberg AFB Space
Shuttle Security Budget NCOIC
Class of 1981
Air Force, 6 Years
Security Specialist, 3 years Europe service, Space command Vandenberg AFB Space
Shuttle Security Budget NCOIC
Joshua Schwandt
Class of 1992
Navy, 4 Years
launched aircraft of the flight deck of the uss independence.
Class of 1992
Navy, 4 Years
launched aircraft of the flight deck of the uss independence.
Kevin Locke
Class of 1979
Navy, 10 Years
Flew EA-6b Prowlers as a navigator (ECMO) from '84 to '94. Two WestPac deployments aboard CV-64 USS Constellation. LCDR, Mission Commander, Flight Instructor.
Class of 1979
Navy, 10 Years
Flew EA-6b Prowlers as a navigator (ECMO) from '84 to '94. Two WestPac deployments aboard CV-64 USS Constellation. LCDR, Mission Commander, Flight Instructor.
Kyle Killen
Class of 1967
Navy, 1 Years
Kyle enlisted in the Navy in 1968, after boot camp he was sent to parachute-packers school. While in training Kyle and another trainee were busted for smoking pot. Kyle served a short time in the USMC brig where he was beat-up, harrassed and humiliated by his Marine Corps jailers. Kyle's father, Smokey Killen served in heavy combat as a USMC Captain in the South Pacific in WWII - Smokey was able to pull some strings and got Kyle out of the Navy with a General Discharge.
Class of 1967
Navy, 1 Years
Kyle enlisted in the Navy in 1968, after boot camp he was sent to parachute-packers school. While in training Kyle and another trainee were busted for smoking pot. Kyle served a short time in the USMC brig where he was beat-up, harrassed and humiliated by his Marine Corps jailers. Kyle's father, Smokey Killen served in heavy combat as a USMC Captain in the South Pacific in WWII - Smokey was able to pull some strings and got Kyle out of the Navy with a General Discharge.
Lawrence E. Horn
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Weapons Dept. G One Division Ships Company U. S. S. Constellation C V 64
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Weapons Dept. G One Division Ships Company U. S. S. Constellation C V 64
Lawrence E. Horn
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Aviation ordinance on board U.S.S. Constellation. Three deployments to Pacific and Indian Oceans. Rank: 3rd class petty officer.
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Aviation ordinance on board U.S.S. Constellation. Three deployments to Pacific and Indian Oceans. Rank: 3rd class petty officer.
Lawrence E. Horn
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Achieved 3rd Class Petty Officer North Island N A S San Diego, California 3.8 years on board U. S. S. Constellation CV - 64
Achieved 3rd Class Petty Officer North Island Naval Air Station Coronado, California 3.8 years aboard U. S. S. Constellation C V -64
Weapons Dept.
G - 1 Division 3 deployments to Western Pacific
and Indian Oceans. 1980 backup for carrier Nimitz for unsuccessful attempt to free hostiges
in Iran.Longest at sea period was 86 days.
A
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Achieved 3rd Class Petty Officer North Island N A S San Diego, California 3.8 years on board U. S. S. Constellation CV - 64
Achieved 3rd Class Petty Officer North Island Naval Air Station Coronado, California 3.8 years aboard U. S. S. Constellation C V -64
Weapons Dept.
G - 1 Division 3 deployments to Western Pacific
and Indian Oceans. 1980 backup for carrier Nimitz for unsuccessful attempt to free hostiges
in Iran.Longest at sea period was 86 days.
A
Lawrence Horn
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Aviation Ordinance Man 3rd class. U.S. S. Constellation CV - 64 Ships company
Class of 1975
Navy, 4 Years
Aviation Ordinance Man 3rd class. U.S. S. Constellation CV - 64 Ships company
Lewis Hayden
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Louie and his unit were recalled while enroute to Vietnam in 1969
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Louie and his unit were recalled while enroute to Vietnam in 1969
Louis Hein
Class of 1972
Navy, 20+ Years
20 years as a Crypto/Communications repair Technician.
Class of 1972
Navy, 20+ Years
20 years as a Crypto/Communications repair Technician.
Mark Atherton
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Mark enlisted in the Army in 1967. Served in combat Vietnam '67 & '68
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Mark enlisted in the Army in 1967. Served in combat Vietnam '67 & '68
Matthew Tillman
Class of 2001
Army, 5 Years
Enlisted in 2004, as a firefighter, went to Iraq for OIF 3 and to Afghanistan for OEF 7
Class of 2001
Army, 5 Years
Enlisted in 2004, as a firefighter, went to Iraq for OIF 3 and to Afghanistan for OEF 7
MELINDA MANCIU
Class of 2001
Navy, 6 Years
USED TO BE A DECK SEAMAN STATIONED IN ITALY FOR 3YRS. NOW A CS2 (CULINARY SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS) STATIONED ON THE USS NEW ORLEANS LPD 18 IN SAN DIEGO, CA.
Class of 2001
Navy, 6 Years
USED TO BE A DECK SEAMAN STATIONED IN ITALY FOR 3YRS. NOW A CS2 (CULINARY SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS) STATIONED ON THE USS NEW ORLEANS LPD 18 IN SAN DIEGO, CA.
melinda manciu
Class of 2001
Navy, 8 Years
was a CS1 got out aug 2009 now living in san diego, ca
Class of 2001
Navy, 8 Years
was a CS1 got out aug 2009 now living in san diego, ca
Mike Burke
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Mike enlisted in the USMC in 1968 and served in Vietnam
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Mike enlisted in the USMC in 1968 and served in Vietnam
Mike Houlton
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
Mike was drafted into the Army. He served as an 11B Infantryman and was in very heavy combat as a grunt in Vietnam.
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
Mike was drafted into the Army. He served as an 11B Infantryman and was in very heavy combat as a grunt in Vietnam.
Patricia Motz
Class of 1970
Army, 9 Years
US Army Judge Advocate General's Corps
setationed in Germany, Washington DC and Colorado, 1978-1987.
Class of 1970
Army, 9 Years
US Army Judge Advocate General's Corps
setationed in Germany, Washington DC and Colorado, 1978-1987.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Rio Americano High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Raiders.
School News
Class ‘71 reunion
Rio Americano class of ‘71 (50+1)
Saturday May 14,2022 6-10PM
Dante Club 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd.
...
Read More »
Our Rio Americano High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Rio Americano High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Sacramento are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!