There is more to a family than our direct lines of ancestors. Sometimes you learn about a distant cousin just by doing a little searching. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Windsor Secor is my fifth cousin once removed. That’s what happened when I started writing the biography below. Hopefully, it might inspire you to look deeper into your family.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Windsor Secor JMA# (3.10.3311) was born September 10, 1918, in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa to Leroy William Secor (M3.10.331) and Doris Eloise Windsor (3.10.331). He was the first of three children born into this family. Richard and his siblings grew up mostly in that city.
In 1920, Richard and his family resided at 421 Bird Avenue, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York where his father was a manager for an insurance company. They moved back to Des Moines in 1925 where they resided at 115 Glenview Drive. They remained at that address in 1930 where his father was a district manager for an insurance company.
Richard attended school in that city and on August 05, 1936, he was awarded a scholarship to Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri. The scholarship was awarded by the Citizens Military Training Camp, Fort Des Moines, Iowa. According to United States Military Registers, 1862-1985, Richard graduated from Missouri Military Academy in 1937 and made the rank of Second Lieutenant on February 10, 1941.
On February 17, 1943, Richard was reported as a prisoner of war being held in Germany. He had been with his unit in the North African Theatre; Tunisia. He was held in Oflag 64, a camp for captured officers and arrived there on June 09, 1943. He escaped with James MacAravey and Leonard Spence. For further information on the camp go to: Oflag 64 Remembered. Richard is listed in the United States Select Military Registers, 1862-1985 1972, Vol. III, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in both World War II and Korea. He was discharged from service on March 31, 1961.
Richard married Margaret Hanna Mangin (M3.10.3311), daughter of Andrew Joseph Mangin and Laura Rebecca Wilson, on April 28, 1945, in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. The ceremony was performed in the chapel by Daniel E. Earnhardt, Chaplain at Fort Des Moines. They took a short wedding trip before settling in Des Moines at 115 Glenview Drive. Richard and Margaret had no children. Their marriage ended in divorce.
On December 04, 1971, Richard married Annette Arlene Behling (R3.10.3311), daughter of Ernest Joseph Behling and Glady Marie Ford, in Pinellas Park, Florida. They settled in New Port Richey, Florida. Richard continued to live in that city until his death.
Richard passed away on October 02, 1977, in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida and was laid to rest on October 21, 1977, in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
Biography written February 13, 2025, by Juanita Goin (2841211)
Sources:
John More Association, Inc. family records
Ancestry.com
Newspapers.com
Google: Oflag 64
Find A Grave