Just months into combat, Harry VanRiper was gravely wounded when a truck he was driving was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade as the U.S. approached peak involvement in the Vietnam War in August 1968.
Doctors told VanRiper, serving with the Army's 25th Infantry Division, he had a slim chance to survive. He did, but he lost his left arm.
In 1969, his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation — the highest distinction a military unit can receive — by President Richard Nixon for extraordinary heroism in combat operations against numerically superior enemy forces from Aug. 18 to Sept. 20, 1968.
Earlier this month, the 75-year-old veteran from Hampton received the 2023 Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award.
Now in its third year, the award is bestowed annually by Allegheny County upon veterans who continue to serve veterans and civilians alike following their discharge from the military. It was established in 2021 in memory of Martoni, an Army veteran, an original Allegheny County Council member and a longtime Community College of Allegheny County leader, who died in 2019.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald presented VanRiper, a retired Community College of Allegheny County professor, with his award during a Nov. 2 ceremony at the county courthouse.
Nominees are judged on their military service as well as their outstanding leadership of and contributions to both the veteran community and the community at-large by a panel led by the Veterans' Services Office. Finalists were then presented to the county executive for selection.
After returning home from Vietnam, Van Riper attended classes at Duquesne University with GI Bill benefits and went on to teach at the community college for 34 years before retiring in 2014.
Among his many volunteer activities, VanRiper has provided more than 300 hours of mathematics instruction to veterans at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in O'Hara.
“During a conversation with a resident in our Veterans Recovery Center, Harry realized there was a unique need only he could fill,” said David DiFuccia, the center’s development and civic engagement program coordinator. “The veteran explained he had issues with math and it was holding him back.
“Harry, who was a professor who taught mathematics, jumped at the opportunity to mentor this veteran. Soon, he began holding classes for more veterans, expanding and adjusting course material as needed.”
DiFuccia said several veterans have credited these classes with their ability to find employment.
Additionally, VanRiper serves as chaplain of Richland American Legion Post 548 and was named 2018 Pennsylvania American Legion Chaplain of the Year.
Commander Bob Schleiden said VanRiper is the post's moral compass.
“We visit all the VA homes,” Schleiden said. “Harry and his wife, Susan, give out a memento to selected residents. Harry holds a personal discussion with each of these guys.”
VanRiper, who left the Army as a corporal, has also served as a leader of Serving Our Sentinels, a Butler County nonprofit that provides cash assistance to veterans and their families who have fallen on hard times.
Co-founder Doug Miller said VanRiper, who has two children and several grandchildren, is dependable.
“Harry is there 24/7. If someone needs rides, food, whatever, it's there,” Miller said. “You can count on him to do the right thing.
“He's somebody you can count on — a friend, a shoulder to cry on.”
Al Barkafski, VanRiper's squad leader in Vietnam, said he is the type of person who always helped others.
“He did what he was told to do,” said Barkafski, a Montgomery County resident. “He followed orders with intelligence.”
Adding to an already full plate, VanRiper has volunteered for a VA feasibility study of a “smart” limb. If he receives it, the limb will allow him to use his hand by sending signals from his brain, potentially giving hope to other amputees.
He also plans to volunteer at a hospice, so veterans who do not have families do not die alone.
VanRiper recalls how he and others who served in Vietnam were often shunned after returning home and wants others to avoid the same.
“I love helping veterans,” he said, calling it his proudest accomplishment.
VanRiper has also been recognized as part of the U.S. Steel Salute Our Heroes event, an annual program that honors a veteran during each Steelers home game.
Richard Weber, a Vietnam veteran from Franklin Park, nominated VanRiper for the Martoni award.
“We both served in the 25th Division, but at different times. We have many of the same values and sit together in church.
“I have known Harry for 12 years,” Weber said. “We are as close as brothers.”
First Published: November 17, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: November 17, 2023, 9:15 p.m.
