THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Daughter

I just received this Wall of Names E-Mail and began looking up some of the men I served with that gave it all for their country. I see you posted a desire for more information.

I was just assigned to the 1/26th, First Infantry Division and while waiting on command of a company, I was the S3 Air. My Job was to go up in a helicopter and a unit would pop a smoke grenade so I could give them a good position on where they were on the ground.

On the day your father was killed, I received a call that Richard had been shot in the chest from behind by a sniper and needed evacuated.

The Battalion Commander and I went to the area in his command chopper and your dad was sitting on the ground; fully alert and not in a lot of pain, so we put him in the chopper and started for the hospital. When the medic laid him down to provide IV and medical attention, he just went suddenly and very peaceful.

I only hope this does not make you sad, but I wanted you to know how brave your dad was and that he did not suffer. He was truly a great soldier and very brave.

George Hughes
Major, AUS Retired

Dear Cap Richard Treas, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander. Your 87 birthday is tomorrow, but your 54th anniversary is 2 days later, sigh. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Agent Orange Awareness Month. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

HOOAH

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Soldier's Medal


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Captain (Infantry) Richard L. Treas, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in December 1966, in Chun Chon, Korea in saving a nine year old Korean boy from drowning in the ice swollen, turbulent So Yang River. While driving across the So Yang River bridge, at the northern edge of the city of Chun Chon, Captain Treas noticed an excited crowd of people gathering along the bank of the river on the south side of the bridge. Closer observation revealed the object of excitement to be a small Korean child who had broken through the ice encrustation and fallen into the river, clinging for life to a piece of floating ice. Not knowing the thickness of the ice or the depth of the river or the swiftness of it's current and notwithstanding the fact that he cannot swim, Captain Treas forced his way against the strong current of the turbulent stream, the depth of which often reached his chin. Fending off chunks of ice with sharp and jagged edges, Captain Treas reached the child at midstream and carried him back to safety, aided by Sergeant First Class Kim Myung Kenn, a Korean soldier assigned to Detachment Center, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea, who had likewise risked his life by following Captain Treas into the stream in this rescue effort. Upon reaching the banks, Captain Treas delivered the near frozen boy to a Korean National Policeman for immediate evacuation to the nearest hospital for urgently required medical care. Through this act of heroism, Captain Treas reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army Advisory Group, Korea, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 33 (July 26, 1967)

Action Date: December 1966

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Dear Captain Richard Lee Treas, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter