Rank: First Lieutenant
Unit: F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 1204 – Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Parachutist Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Commission Source: United States Military Academy Class of 1970
Date of birth: 15-Dec-1948
Hometown: Manchester, Vermont
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 3-Jun-1970
Start of tour: 11-Oct-1971
Incident date: 3-Dec-1971
Date of casualty: 3-Dec-1971
Age at death: 22
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
Richard Albert Green was killed while on a combat operation when he was mistaken for a hostile force and fired upon by a friendly force. / Platoon leader on ambush patrol checking positions of fire teams when friendly ambush opened fire on him.
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, XT 499 329
Place of interment: Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, New Jersey, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD ALBERT GREEN, ARMOR
13 NOVEMBER 1971
F TROOP, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Green distinguished himself on 13 November 1971 as Patrol Leader with F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during an ambush patrol near Tay Ninh Province. After a twenty-two-hour vigil, First Lieutenant Green observed three personnel entering the ambush zone. Disregarding his own safety, he exposed himself to the men and apprehended them. After sending the individuals to higher headquarters for questioning, First Lieutenant Green returned his patrol to its position where he observed two enemy insurgents entering the ambush zone. He waited until both were in the kill zone, a short distance from his position, then engaged them with claymore mines. Exposing himself to possible enemy fire, he moved into a position where he could best control his people and led them on a sweep of the immediate area. First Lieutenant Green’s exceptional leadership and courage resulted in his patrol suffering no casualties. He was instrumental in killing two enemy insurgents and capturing two AK-66 automatic rifles with ammunition. First Lieutenant Green’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam General Orders No. 26 (5 January 1972)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD ALBERT GREEN, ARMOR
13 NOVEMBER 1971
F TROOP, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Green distinguished himself on 13 November 1971 as Patrol Leader with F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during an ambush patrol near Tay Ninh Province. After a twenty-two-hour vigil, First Lieutenant Green observed three personnel entering the ambush zone. Disregarding his own safety, he exposed himself to the men and apprehended them. After sending the individuals to higher headquarters for questioning, First Lieutenant Green returned his patrol to its position where he observed two enemy insurgents entering the ambush zone. He waited until both were in the kill zone, a short distance from his position, then engaged them with claymore mines. Exposing himself to possible enemy fire, he moved into a position where he could best control his people and led them on a sweep of the immediate area. First Lieutenant Green’s exceptional leadership and courage resulted in his patrol suffering no casualties. He was instrumental in killing two enemy insurgents and capturing two AK-66 automatic rifles with ammunition. First Lieutenant Green’s heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam General Orders No. 3582 (31 December 1971)