THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Distinguished Service Cross citation attests to your valor and devotion to your fellow soldiers. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Spec 4 Richard Brown,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. It is important 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 courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Richard Charles Brown
Date of birth: 20-Oct-48
Date of death: Killed in Action
Home of record: Stony Point New York
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

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 Specialist Fourth Class Richard Charles Brown (ASN: RA-11819901), 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 Company B, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Brown distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 March 1968 as radio-telephone operator of an infantry company on combat operations near Lai Khe. While crossing a rice paddy, his unit sighted and killed three Viet Cong moving in a nearby tree line. A fire team dispatched to check out the bodies was pinned down by devastating enemy fire and several of its members were wounded. Supporting artillery fire could not be called in because the fire team's point man was wounded and trapped in an exposed position near the insurgents' positions. Specialist Brown maneuvered forward of the friendly lines alone to aid the wounded point man. He detected three Viet Cong soldiers advancing toward him and fearlessly assaulted and killed them with his pistol. Although the enemy's full firepower was directed at him, he continued to advance under a curtain of bullets and reached his stricken comrade. As he treated the injured man, a Viet Cong threw a grenade at their position. Completely disregarding his personal welfare, Specialist Brown leaped on the wounded soldier to shield him from the blast. He was mortally wounded while gallantly and selflessly placing the life of a fellow soldier above his own in the heat of battle. Specialist Four Brown'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. 2880 (June 17, 1968)

Action Date: 2-Mar-68

Service: Army

Rank: Specialist Fourth Class

Company: Company B

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade

Division: 1st Infantry Division

My name is Sue Vaughan and I was at the Palisades mall this past weekend and donated a nice amount of money to the Rockland County Vets and I picked a star with the name Richard C brown.
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a handsome young man and seems to have a smile that he might of been a guy who loved to play jokes on people! I thank Richard and all the soldiers who lost their lives for their service and God Bless...
My father was a Vietnam vet who still suffers from PTSD to this day and he is 77 years old. It's a hard road.....We also are from West Point (I am an Army 'brat")..Thank you xo

Dear Richard Brown,
I would like to thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made while serving our country. My father served in Vietnam before I was born and he was an active service member for 25 years. He finally retired back in the 1992 after almost being deployed in the first Gulf War. I wanted to thank you for your service and your memory will never be forgotten. I proudly support all service men and women and you sir I salute you for your tour. May you rest in peace and thank you for your service!