Nicky Riviezzo

He was born on November 1, 1943 as an only child to the late Nicky Sr. and Mary Riviezzo in Lincolnton, North Carolina.

In 1961, Nick graduated from high school where he enjoyed playing basketball with local youth programs. Sometimes he would pretend to be Jewish in order to play alongside his best friends from his neighborhood at their private school. After high school, Nick worked for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, New York while attending University. In his off time, he was also employed by the SAAB Motor Company as a semi-professional rally car driver in the SAAB 96. The excessive smoke produced from his two cycle racing engine gave him the nickname “Smokey.”

Nick enlisted in to the United States Army in 1963 as an infantryman where he would soon find himself in the jungles of Viet Nam. Upon return to the United States, Nick attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and US Army Flight School. After graduation from flight school, he deployed on a second tour to Viet Nam where he flew the UH-1 “Huey Model Gunship.” During this time, he received a battlefield commission to Second Lieutenant. After a full second tour, he redeployed to Fort Stewart, Georgia. Nick volunteered for a third tour in Viet Nam where he flew the OH-58A. On February 11th, 1971, the last time that he was shot down (13 total shoot downs or forced landings throughout the war) was especially memorable. As a senior instructor pilot, he was giving Joe Douglas a 90-day check ride along with Bob Bunney, his door gunner, and they encountered heavy enemy fire. They reported the activity and returned the refuel point. Flying on a ridge line, during an adhoc BDA scout mission to the same area, the aircraft engine was destroyed by an anti-aircraft gun which forced Nick to autorotate into a 200-ft tall triple canopy jungle. A Huey carrying a rifle team was quickly dispatched to rescue them, but was also shot down. Nick’s actions during the ensuing fire fight not only saved the lives of his crew, but also the lives of the members of the other aircraft. For his actions, Nick was awarded the Silver Star.

His awards and decorations for his actions throughout the Viet Nam war include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Aviator Wings, Parachutist Badge, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, Bronze Star with Valor, Air Medal with Valor (25), and a Purple Heart with three oak leaf clusters.

After his third tour, Nick became an Armor Company Commander. As the Viet Nam war came to a close, the size of the Army was reduced and Nick was honorably discharged from active duty into the Army Reserves as a Major. Wanting to obtain an active duty retirement, Nick re-enlisted into the Army as a Military Policeman where he specialized in criminal investigation and VIP security. His last two duty stations included Mainz, Germany and Fort Bliss, Texas. Major Nicky Riviezzo retired from the Army on January 31, 1986.

After retiring from the Army, Nick became a contracted flight instructor for the Army where he instructed in the TH-55 Osage, UH-1 Huey, TH-67 Creek, and his beloved OH-58A/C Kiowa. During his tenure as an instructor, he made over $8.00 (in nickels) giving first flights. His students remember him for his targeting of red tractors (aka “enemy tanks”) in the peanut fields over southern Alabama and his ability to sing funny songs during stressful times for his students. His amazing gift of instructing and stunning aircraft control allowed him to pass many valuable lessons on to newer generations of US Army Aviators. He amassed over 16,000 hours of helicopter time and the 10,000 flight hour pin from Bell Helicopters.

During his retirement, Nick enjoyed building a replica 1958 Porsche 550 Spyder and also auto crossing his Miata. His love of shooting sports and Colt 1911 pistols reached across many generations and became a vehicle for common ground with many of his flight students.

Nick was preceded in death by his amazing wife Carla Jean Bell Riviezzo. Survivors include his two step sons, Steven Talley (Pat) of Homestead Florida and Jeff E. Talley (Becky) of New Market, Tennessee; his grandson William “Billy’ Talley of Concord, North Carolina, and his great-grandson Luke Talley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel, Alabama, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.