Richard T. Edwards Jr., age 95, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, died Saturday, September 30, 2017, at home. He was born October 31, 1921 in Rome, New York.

Mr. Edwards was a 1939 graduate of the Rome Free Academy where he played varsity football. He served in the US Marine Corps during World War II where he participated in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, as well as the capture and defense of Cape Gloucester, New Britain. His mother had given him for Christmas a "Heart shield New Testament". Ten days after receiving the gift, during a Japanese counterattack on the third day of the New Britain invasion, a bullet hit the copper-plated Bible. It deflected the bullet from his heart, and miraculously saved his life. He received a Purple Heart and numerous other citations for his service to our country. Mr. Edwards worked in the electrical cable industry, and ended his career as a District Sales Manager with the Rome Cable Corporation.

He is survived by his wife, Ailison Edwards, nee Cummin; his daughter, Katherine Nancy Edwards of Rio Rancho, NM; and his granddaughter, Dawn.

Services were held privately. Interment was held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association , 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17 , Chicago, IL 60601.