VIETNAM - GREEN, RICHARD ALBERT

Green, Richard Albert

VIETNAM - GREEN, RICHARD ALBERT
GREEN, RICHARD ALBERT

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

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 02W 083 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

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

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)