As we approach Memorial Day, a time to reflect on the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the Sayville Alumni community remembers one of our own—Robert Milton Ritter, a young soldier whose story is etched in both local history and the legacy of the Korean War.

Robert Ritter was just 17 years old and a student at Sayville High School when, in February 1948, he made the courageous decision to enlist in the U.S. Army. Leaving behind his hometown, he answered the call to serve his country at a pivotal moment in history.

Tragically, on November 26, 1950, during the brutal fighting in North Korea, Robert was reported Missing in Action (MIA). His disappearance left behind a grieving family, including his wife and six-month-old child, as well as a community that knew and admired the Ritter family.

The Ritters were well-known in Sayville, and Robert’s service and sacrifice were documented in the Suffolk County News, both before his enlistment and in the heartbreaking aftermath of his loss. His story is a poignant reminder of the cost of war—especially the Korean War, often called the “Forgotten War,” despite its profound impact on those who served and their families.

A Call to Sayville’s History Keepers
Would a current Sayville High School student or a lifelong alumni with a passion for history be interested in honoring Robert’s memory? We’re looking for someone to:

• Review the historical articles from the Suffolk County News
• Conduct additional online research
• Prepare a remembrance article for our Alumni website and Facebook page

This would be a meaningful way to ensure that Robert Milton Ritter’s sacrifice—and the sacrifices of so many others—are never forgotten.

If you’re interested in helping preserve this piece of Sayville’s history, please reach out to us. Let’s keep the legacy of our hometown heroes alive.

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” —Benjamin Disraeli