Richard LEE Sanders

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Richard Lee Sanders (US-56704066), Corporal, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Sanders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1967, while serving as a medic on a search and destroy mission in the northern portion of Bien Hoa Province, Vietnam. As the unit moved through an area of dense jungle vegetation, it suddenly came under an intense volume of automatic and semiautomatic weapons fire from a well concealed and determined company of Viet Cong. Seeing several of his comrades fall in the initial burst of enemy fire, Private Sanders immediately rushed to their aid. Although exposing himself to a torrent of insurgent fire, Private Sanders brilliantly succeeded in rendering professional first aid to the wounded men and carrying them to a position of relative safety. Without regard for personal safety and fully aware of the peril of the situation, Private Sanders rushed to a soldier who had been wounded during the conflict. After reaching the man, Private Sanders began administering aid when suddenly the wounded soldier became hysterical and started to run towards his unit’s position. Fearing for the safety of the man, Private Sanders dove at the soldier in an attempt to keep him in a position that afforded some cover from the intense fire. It was during the courageous act that Private Sanders and the wounded soldier were mortally wounded by a burst of automatic weapons fire. Private First Class Sanders’ extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7492 (December 30, 1967)