HONORED ON PANEL 23E, LINE 23 OF THE WALL
RICHARD JOHN SASEK
WALL NAME
RICHARD J SASEK
PANEL / LINE
23E/23
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR RICHARD JOHN SASEK
POSTED ON 7.6.2018
POSTED BY: A US Marine, Quang Tri, Vietnam
Silver Star Citation
Richard John Sasek
DATE OF BIRTH: February 8, 1937
HOME OF RECORD:
Topeka, Kansas
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Richard John Sasek (MCSN: 0-81030), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 July 1967. Assigned to a search and destroy mission in difficult terrain full of heavy undergrowth and thick vegetation, Company D was deployed in a tactical column when it came under fire from approximately forty North Vietnamese soldiers. Instantly, Captain Sasek took aggressive action, directing automatic and small arms fire upon the enemy forcing them to flee. While pursuing the enemy, the company engaged an estimated enemy company, firing from well-concealed positions on both the company's flanks, separating the command group from the remainder of the company and inflicting heavy casualties. Courageously disregarding the intense enemy fire which continued to rake both positions, Captain Sasek quickly analyzed the situation and directed each group to form a defensive perimeter and establish a landing zone for evacuation of the dead and wounded. As darkness approached, he realized the urgency of joining the two groups, despite the murderous hail of enemy fire. While moving to the larger group, his command group was pinned down by enemy soldiers, throwing hand grenades from as close as thirty meters, causing more casualties. Quickly reorganizing his forces, Captain Sasek maneuvered his elements against the enemy, quelling the attack; and, finally, moving in total darkness, the small command group came in voice contact with the rest of the company. As the more serious casualties were evacuated, the enemy attacked again with mortars, satchel charges and small arms, inflicting still more casualties. The company retaliated, killing twenty-seven enemy and probably killing fifty more. Heavy, close-in fighting continued throughout the night. During almost forty hours of continuous fighting in close combat, Company D, under the superb leadership of Captain Sasek, distinguished itself by its courage and aggressiveness. By his inspiring leadership, courage, and professional competence, he upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
DATE OF BIRTH: February 8, 1937
HOME OF RECORD:
Topeka, Kansas
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Richard John Sasek (MCSN: 0-81030), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 July 1967. Assigned to a search and destroy mission in difficult terrain full of heavy undergrowth and thick vegetation, Company D was deployed in a tactical column when it came under fire from approximately forty North Vietnamese soldiers. Instantly, Captain Sasek took aggressive action, directing automatic and small arms fire upon the enemy forcing them to flee. While pursuing the enemy, the company engaged an estimated enemy company, firing from well-concealed positions on both the company's flanks, separating the command group from the remainder of the company and inflicting heavy casualties. Courageously disregarding the intense enemy fire which continued to rake both positions, Captain Sasek quickly analyzed the situation and directed each group to form a defensive perimeter and establish a landing zone for evacuation of the dead and wounded. As darkness approached, he realized the urgency of joining the two groups, despite the murderous hail of enemy fire. While moving to the larger group, his command group was pinned down by enemy soldiers, throwing hand grenades from as close as thirty meters, causing more casualties. Quickly reorganizing his forces, Captain Sasek maneuvered his elements against the enemy, quelling the attack; and, finally, moving in total darkness, the small command group came in voice contact with the rest of the company. As the more serious casualties were evacuated, the enemy attacked again with mortars, satchel charges and small arms, inflicting still more casualties. The company retaliated, killing twenty-seven enemy and probably killing fifty more. Heavy, close-in fighting continued throughout the night. During almost forty hours of continuous fighting in close combat, Company D, under the superb leadership of Captain Sasek, distinguished itself by its courage and aggressiveness. By his inspiring leadership, courage, and professional competence, he upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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POSTED ON 7.6.2018
POSTED BY: Janice Current
An American Hero
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.
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POSTED ON 2.8.2018
POSTED BY: Dennis Wriston
I'm proud of our Vietnam Veterans
Captain Richard John Sasek, Served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.
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POSTED ON 12.4.2016
POSTED BY: Biz Obley
Capt. Sassek,USMC remembered
II played baseball against Richard when he was in Lyons, Kansas and I played for McPherson. We were competitive friends and he was a good player. Later
He roomed in Topeka with my cousin, Darlene Goodrich and her husband Marc.
She admired his patriotic philsophy and was supportive of his entry into the Marines. II was in the Navy in 1966 and in Vietnam and learned of Capt..Sassek's death later in 1967. He was an outstanding Marine as you read the postings herein. I wish we could have met again back in Kansas after the war but I will wait until I meet him on the diamond in heaven.
I have visited his name on the Wall. God Bless you for the leadership and joy you gave to all of us.. Capt. Biz Obley, USN -ret.
Sassek 's.
He roomed in Topeka with my cousin, Darlene Goodrich and her husband Marc.
She admired his patriotic philsophy and was supportive of his entry into the Marines. II was in the Navy in 1966 and in Vietnam and learned of Capt..Sassek's death later in 1967. He was an outstanding Marine as you read the postings herein. I wish we could have met again back in Kansas after the war but I will wait until I meet him on the diamond in heaven.
I have visited his name on the Wall. God Bless you for the leadership and joy you gave to all of us.. Capt. Biz Obley, USN -ret.
Sassek 's.
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POSTED ON 1.14.2016
POSTED BY: Jack Simpson, Jr.
My CO and my friend
Captain Sasek (Dick) was my commanding officer in Vietnam in 1967. I was his artillery forward observer (arty FO). We were the same age--born in 1937. We worked side-by-side in combat. He was a very special person.
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