Richardson, Terry P.

Citation

Staff Sergeant Terry P. Richardson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on September 14, 1968, while serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam.

On this date, his company was tasked with the mission of securing Hill 222 in hostile enemy territory near the Cambodian border. It was a hilly area covered with rubber trees. Lima Platoon was assigned by the company commander to be on point for the mission. Staff Sergeant Richardson directed one of his squads to be the point element leading the way. Shortly after the assault began, three of the squad members became severely wounded and pinned down between three enemy machine gun bunkers. Going back on three separate occasions, Staff Sergeant Richardson advanced forward under heavy enemy fire and recovered his wounded Soldiers between heavy machine gun fire.

By the time he was able to make it back to join his unit, his entire company had been completely surrounded by the enemy. Staff Sergeant Richardson gave instructions to his soldiers to cover him and then, without regard for his own safety, advanced to the top of Hill 222 under enemy fire for better sight lines to direct the tactical air strikes. He began to direct the tactical air strikes and shortly thereafter became wounded by an enemy sniper. Staff Sergeant Richardson continued directing the tactical strikes for seven more hours, before the enemy broke contact with him and his company.

Six soldiers from his platoon found him, still alive but wounded and unable to hear due to his proximity to the ordnance dropped all around him. Staff Sergeant Richardson declined medical evacuation for his gunshot wound and requested that he be allowed to stay to lead his soldiers. The damage caused to the enemy by his direction of the tactical air strikes allowed his company to secure Hill 222 unopposed saving the lives of 82 fellow soldiers who remained in Alpha Company.

Altogether, his actions directly resulted in 85 lives being spared on that fateful day. Staff Sergeant Richardson’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.