Riley E. Lott, Jr., 76, of Springfield, Ore., passed away August 29, 2021. He was born in Rolling Bay, Wash., to parents Riley E. and Lillian Lott. He is survived by his daughter, Traci, and granddaughters MaKenna and Alyssa. His grandson Spencer passed earlier this year.
One of several Green Berets of Native American descent, Riley was a member of the Lower Umpqua Tribe which he later worked to confederate with the Siuslaw and Coos Tribes. Riley enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 and is possibly the youngest man to complete Special Forces Training as a Combat Medic.
He spent nearly nine years in Special Forces, much of it commanding Cambodian strikers in the IV Corps MIKE Force in Vietnam.
Lott’s time with “his troops” covered five yearly tours, four continuous between 1964 and ’68 and an additional tour in 1969. His extraordinary time in Vietnam resulted in three Bronze Stars with “V” device, an ARCOM with “V” device, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (all for bravery in combat), the Air Medal, Purple Heart and 10 Overseas Bars.
Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Riley returned to Oregon and lived a life continuing to serve others.
Riley’s life is featured in the Spring 2021 edition of The Drop, the quarterly magazine published by the Special Forces Association.
Lott was buried at the Willamette (Oregon) National Cemetery with full military honors.
