WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, The U.S. Army will induct Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. The Pentagon ceremony will add Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson’s name to the distinguished roster in the Hall of Heroes, the Defense Department’s permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Richardson becomes Fort Riley’s 39th Medal of Honor recipient, adding to the storied legacy of the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” which is headquartered at Fort Riley.

Richardson was drafted into the U.S. Army in May 1967 at 19 years old.

Following his training, he received orders to deploy to Vietnam with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in May 1968.

Richardson was assigned as the squad leader for 1st Platoon, until his radio telephone operator was killed in action during a clearing operation on Highway 13. Richardson moved into the position of platoon leader.

During a reconnaissance mission between Loc Ninh and the Cambodian border on Sept. 14, 1968, his unit was engaged by intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Richardson maneuvered through a hail of hostile rounds and deployed his men into defensive positions while directing their suppressive fire. During the attack, he dragged three wounded soldiers back to safety.

With his platoon surrounded, he realized the only way they would avoid being overrun was with accurate tactical air strikes. Richardson made his way up Hill 222 undetected to call in tactical air strikes from a shallow irrigation ditch with only rubber trees for cover.

Once up the hill, he realized that the enemy force was a large regimental base complex of the 7th North Vietnamese Army Division. Speaking directly to the pilots, Richardson began calling in the airstrikes. An hour in, he was shot in the right leg by a North Vietnamese Army sniper. Richardson continued guiding the pilots for seven more hours, calling in approximately 32 airstrikes until the enemy retreated. His actions saved 85 lives.

Source: https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/richardson/index.html

Statement from Sen. Roger Marshall

On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), applauded the awarding of the Medal of Honor by President Trump at a White House ceremony where three U.S. Army soldiers were recognized for extraordinary valor.

Among the honorees was Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Terry P. Richardson of Fort Riley, who was awarded the nation’s highest military decoration for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War on Sept. 14, 1968. On that day, his courage and decisive leadership under enemy fire saved the lives of 85 fellow soldiers.

“Saving 85 of his fellow soldiers under enemy fire — that is the definition of extraordinary valor,” said Senator Marshall. “Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Richardson’s courage and selfless leadership that day in 1968 embody the very best of the Big Red One and America, and we are honored that Fort Riley is home to his legacy.”

Other recipients

During his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, President Donald J. Trump announced that Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover and retired Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams were both medal recipients. 

Slover, still on active duty, received the medal for actions last month in Venezuela, while Williams — now 100 years old — received the medal for actions during the Korean War in 1952.