TOPEKA (KSNT) – Three U.S. soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor on Monday, including a retired command sergeant major of Fort Riley at the White House and marking Fort Riley’s 39th Medal of Honor.
Retired Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson of the 1st Infantry Division was awarded the military decoration by President Trump in a White House ceremony on March 2 for protecting his company of 85 soldiers in a battle during the Vietnam War on September 1968. Richardson was drafted in May 1967 before deploying to Vietnam in 1968 with the 1st Infantry Division.
The retired command sgt. major was one of three U.S. Army soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor, including Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds and Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis who were both posthumously awarded.
Retired Command Sgt. Major Terry P. Richardson, who was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Trump in the White House on March 2 (U.S. Army)
Fort Riley, which is headquartered in Geary and Riley counties and headquarters the 1st Infantry Division, now gets its 39th Medal of Honor.
“Saving 85 of his fellow soldiers under enemy fire — that is the definition of extraordinary valor,” U.S. Senator of Kansas Roger Marshall said in a press release. “Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Richardson’s courage and selfless leadership that day in 1968 embody the very best of the Big Red One and America, and we are honored that Fort Riley is home to his legacy.”
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Richardson retired from service on Jan. 31, 2008 after being honorably discharged from active duty in 1969 and eventually going back into service with the Michigan National Guard in 1978. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge previously.
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