- SURNAME
Valentine
- FORENAME
Richard W.
- UNIT
7 SF Group (Company B)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Richard W. Valentine, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. As a member of the initial assault force, Sergeant Valentine, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved from building to building, clearing each and thus eliminating a dangerous threat to the successful accomplishment of the mission. He again exposed himself to automatic weapons fire to secure the southern portion of the landing zone. His courage and extreme coolness under fire contributed directly to the overall success of the Operation. Sergeant Valentine's extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24825
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