For his actions that day as the Zulu Platoon’s deputy patrol leader, Rear Adm. Richards received the Silver Star from Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command.
On January 17, more than 50 years later. Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the navy, enhanced the initial Bronze Star in honor of Richards’ great deeds. Back in the 1950s, Lt. j.g. In the rice paddies of Vietnam, Thomas Richards repeatedly moved through enemy gunfire while suffering from injuries and weariness in order to save three injured SEAL Team One Zulu Platoon buddies. The other troops on patrol would not have made it through the day without his valiant dashes into the “death zone.”
Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/437007/silver-star-awarded-naval-special-warfare-legend
Could be 1960s or early 1970s.
Typo : should be 1960’s.
Gentlemen, having been there at Solid Anchor in South Viêt Nam (on the Song Cu Long River) it was January 17. 1971. Fortunately, I wasn’t on that mission, but thankfully, none of the operators were killed. Lt. jg. Richards heroism brought his squad out of the Kill Zone for safe Helo Med Evac.
Regards,
David A. French, Underwater Demolition Team 13, Det.Golf