Everett Vincent Richhart was born on April 17, 1909 in Long Beach to Harry and Linnie Richhart. The family moved to Torrance in 1917 and were pioneers of the new community. They raised lima beans in the fields west of Madrid Avenue and south of Torrance Boulevard, near the old Pacific Electric buildings and U.S. Navy storage depot.

Everett Richhart was very active at Torrance High School, graduating with the winter class of 1927. He was an excellent athlete and earned letters in baseball, basketball, football and track, while also serving as President of the Agricultural Club. He was also a member of the Glee Club and the Boys’ League which stood for closer friendship and cooperation in all high school activities. He also acted in the play “Agatha’s Aunt.” His yearbook entry described him as “A lad with a future.”

After high school, Richhart helped his father in the excavating business, leveling and filling many lots in Torrance. He entered military service in February 1941 at age 32. He trained at Fort Benning and went overseas in December 1941 going to North Africa, England, and France. He served in the 142nd Signal Company, 2nd Armored Division under General George Patton and achieved the enlisted rank of Technician Fifth Grade. He saw action a week after the invasion of France.

On August 19, 1944, he died as a result of wounds received there. Available reports indicate that sometime after August 15, Ricchart was alone and suffered injuries to his leg in an accident while on duty. The causative agent was listed as artillery shell fragments.

He is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial near St. James, France. According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 4,404 war dead are buried there, most of whom lost their lives in the Normandy and Brittany campaigns of 1944.

Corporal Everett Richhart was awarded the Purple Heart medal. He was not married and was survived by his parents and six siblings. Five years after Everett’s death, his parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their Torrance home with about 75 relatives.