Distinguished Service Cross

Wilson Richard L. *

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army Company C 3nd Battalion, 7rd Infantry, 199th LIB

Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 7 August 1969

Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Private First Class Wilson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 7 August 1969 during an airmobile operation. He was walking in the lead position for his squad as they cautiously pursued a path into a thick nipa palm growth bordering a river. When the lead elements had barely entered the vegetation, heavy automatic weapons fire erupted to Private Wilson's front. He spotted an enemy bunker through the dense foliage and immediately alerted his squad to its presence. The heavy volume of hostile fire prevented the friendly troops from advancing on the concealed enemy. Realizing the impossiblity of employing grenades in the tall nipa palm, Private Wilson charged the hostile bunker, placing effective suppressive fire on the enemy as he ran. He had advanced to within ten feet of the hostile fortification when he was mortally wounded. His aggressive actions had enabled his fellow soldiers to move out of their exposed positions and then rout the enemy. Private First Class Wilson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.

* Posthumous award