THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. You gave everything you had to give. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Corporal Benjamin Richardson, Served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Dear CPL Benjamin Richardson, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Benjamin Richardson (2245536), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 May 1967. While participating in Operation UNION II, Company L was given the mission of securing a landing zone near Cam La for the remainder of the battalion. As they left the helicopters, they came under an intense barrage of automatic weapons and mortar fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese soldiers. With too little cover available, the company began to suffer heavy casualties from the intensity of the enemy fire. Corporal Richardson, realizing the urgent need to evacuate the wounded from the beaten zone, dashed across the open, fire-swept paddy field and returned with an injured Marine on his back. Completely disregarding his own safety, he made three more trips, each time returning with a wounded Marine. On his fourth trip, he was hit and mortally wounded before he could reach the security of the evacuation point. By his exceptional courage and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Richardson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Benjamin is buried at Washington Cemetery, Ravenel,SC. PH