Richard Cunningham served our country as a combat infantryman with the U.S. Army in Viet Nam in 1969-70. (MOS 11B40) He served with Company B, 1/11th Infantry, Fifth Infantry Division (Airmobile), out of Quang Tri (I Corp). His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, and the Bronze Star.

Following his rotation from Viet Nam, he served as an Instructor at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, teaching squad tactics.