Cpl. Richard P. Schoener, 22, of Hayes, LA., died May 8, 2005, in Alishang, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Richard often went by “Ricky” and joined the Marines after graduating high school in 2001. He then deployed to Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the GWOTSM. He was survived by his mother, Bonnie J. Breaux and his sister, Jesyca Schoener.

“I looked up the definition of ambition, and it said ‘a desire to succeed.’ Ricky was the most ambitious person I ever met,” said Cpl. Nathan Valencia.

The Travis Manion Foundation provided a Challenge Grant to five Marines: Nick Collier, Nathan Noble, Ross Graves, Matt Dixon, and Jordan Mazar, empowering them to hike the Appalachian Trail in honor of Cpl. Richard Schoener and other Fallen Heroes. Through the mental and physical challenge of the hike, the men honored the lives of the fallen and shared in the camaraderie of the Marine Corps.