THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Richard Garcia, Served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow marines. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Garcia, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

Richard I think of you often and found your name on the Wall in Washington DC. I will never forget that day in January laying in that muddy rice paddy. I personally witnessed your bravery that fateful day. I'm proud to say I served with you. I pray for your family and I know we will meet again in heaven.

Semper Fi

Richard Garcia

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Richard Garcia (MCSN: 2251755), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 January 1967. Private First Class Garcia participated in a company-size search and destroy mission in connection with Operation DE SOTO. While the lead element of the company deployed to maneuver against a fortified Viet Cong hamlet, it became pinned down under heavy caliber, point-blank enemy automatic weapons fire. The First Platoon Commander and another Marine were killed instantly and several others were wounded. When a call for help came back, Private First Class Garcia was one of several Marines who voluntarily left relatively covered positions to run 100 meters across open rice paddies toward the pinned-down survivors. As continuously heavy enemy fire blistered the ground around him, Private First Class Garcia quickly stripped off all his combat gear and vaulted over a covering dike into the completely exposed rice paddy where the casualties were. While Viet Cong fire raked the area he began dragging the dead and wounded back toward cover. Although fatally struck down while attempting to rescue his comrades, Private First Class Garcia, by his bold initiative, heroic actions and grave concern for others, had risked his life to save his fellow Marines, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.