Ronald Richard King was born on July 12th, 1945 to Paul and Anna King. Paul King worked as a plant manager, and Ana King was mostly a homemaker. Ronald had one older brother, Robert E.; two younger brothers, Edward D. and Roger M.; and a younger sister, Anna Sue. Ronald's favorite pastimes include camping in the mountains, bodybuilding, and boxing. He collected Elvis Presley Records and coins. Mechanically inclined, Ronald loved cars, especially Fords. His brothers, Robert and Roger, loved Chevy's, so the family always had an inside joke between which carmaker was better.

     King graduated Avon Grove High School in 1965, earning B's and C's in his courses. King  maintained a serious relationship with a girl named Janice from Chichester throughout High School. He worked at NVF (National Vulcanizing and Fiber Co.) in Kennett. He also stayed with friends of the King family, while working for the Sun Oil Company in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Kelton Church of Christ on Jennersville Road.

     In May 1966, a year after he graduated, King was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.  King, although he had not planned on going to war, complied willingly because he felt that his country needed him.  He entered the Army on May 16th, 1966.  He began his tour of duty in Vietnam on January 1, 1967, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry.

      Private First Class King demonstrated his bravery on July 12th, 1967 (also his twenty-second birthday). The Vietcong surrounded his squad on three sides, making it difficult to retreat. King was in charge of the machine gun. When the gun ran out of bullets, he started to throw grenades, and because of his efforts, King's squad escaped. However, King was not as fortunate.

     King's burial and memorial service took place in Mountain City, Tennessee, where the King family originated. His family received the Purple Heart award for his injury during combat and the Silver Star for his bravery and courage while under fire.

     Even though Vietnam was not a popular war, Ronald R. King and the thousands who died, as well as all the veterans, deserve our thanks and respect for their role in supporting and serving our country. Ronald King's bravery underscores the definition of "hero" by giving up his life for his comrades and for his country.