THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Lt Richard Glenn,
Thank you for your service as a Ranger Qualified Infantry Unit Commander. Merry Christmas. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

I was a classmate and teammate with Dick at Coffee High School. After he was killed and his body returned home, I attended his funeral at Shiloh National Military Park Cemetery. Another classmate's mother, Kitty Belew called me and two other classmates (I think it was Mike Fountain and Alice Edwards) and she drove us to the cemetery for the funeral. It was a cold day and spitting snow. Dick's mother was crying about her boy. It was a very sad day and a terrible waste.

A quiet true Hero. My grandmother nevet got over his death. She never put up a Christmas tree after he died. She waited for the day she met him in heaven. Now he is there with parents and all siblings ...celebrating!

Taking time to remember you on the 47th anniversary of your heroic death. Thank you for your service to our country and God bless you, Sir. Rest in peace.

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard J. Glenn (ASN: OF-108600), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 18th Division Advisory Detachment, Advisory Team 87, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. First Lieutenant Glenn distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 February 1968 while serving as advisor to a Vietnamese battalion conducting a search and destroy mission in the village of Long Dien. Following friendly artillery strikes, the battalion and its advisory team began to move through the Viet Cong infested village. Intense enemy automatic weapons fire erupted from two directions, forcing the battalion to withdraw fifty meters and establish a defensive perimeter. During the withdrawal, the rest of the advisory team became separated from the battalion command group, and Lieutenant Glenn quickly assumed the responsibilities of senior advisor. The insurgents suddenly unleashed a savage ground attack. Lieutenant Glenn's radio operator was wounded by the advancing Viet Cong and was lying in an exposed area. Completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Glenn raced through a curtain of fire, picked up his stricken comrade and carried him to the cover of a building. The enemy pinpointed his position and directed a hail of bullets at it. Quickly removing the radio from the wounded man's back, he instructed the soldier to move to the rear with the other members of the command group while he covered the withdrawal. Against overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Glenn courageously remained at his position and engaged the enemy with rifle fire. He was mortally wounded while gallantly placing the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own. First Lieutenant Glenn'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.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1151 (March 16, 1968)

Action Date: 8-Feb-68

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: 18th Division Advisory Detachment, Advisory Team 87

Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam