Live Webcast: Medal of Honor Ceremony
Live Webcast: Hall of Heroes Ceremony
MEDAL OF HONOR
Vietnam WarLive Webcast: Medal of Honor Ceremony
Watch the Medal of Honor ceremony live webcast, March 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST
President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson for his heroic acts during the Vietnam War.
Live Webcast: Hall of Heroes Induction
Watch the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony live webcast, March 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST
The U.S. Army will induct Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. The Pentagon ceremony will add Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson's name to the distinguished roster in the Hall of Heroes, the Defense Department's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson
hometown
Cass City, Michigan
Enlistment date
May 1967
Military Occupation (MOS)
Infantryman (11B)
Unit
Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Deployments
Vietnam War, 1967-1969
Terry P. Richardson was born in Cass City, Michigan, on Jan. 7, 1948. Richardson, the oldest of 13 children, worked at his father’s gas station and on his family’s 80-acre farm growing up. From eighth grade to graduation, he played basketball, football, baseball and track and was steadily involved in class activities like student council.
PHOTO: Terry Richardson at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in March 1968. Fort Polk was a major Infantry Training Center, particularly during the Vietnam War era. Photo courtesy of the Richardson family.Photo courtesy of the Richardson family.
Richardson graduated from Akron-Fairgrove School in 1966 and worked with his father and grandfather on the farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in May 1967 at 19 years old.
Richardson completed basic combat training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama, to undergo Infantry Advanced Individual Training. Shortly after, he was selected to attend Non-Commissioned Officer School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated with honors and was promoted to staff sergeant on Jan. 22, 1968. Richardson was then assigned as a tactical non-commissioned officer at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Then, he received orders to deploy to Vietnam with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in May 1968.
Richardson was assigned as the squad leader for 1st Platoon, until his radio telephone operator was killed in action during a clearing operation on Highway 13. Richardson moved into the position of platoon leader.
During a reconnaissance mission between Loc Ninh and the Cambodian border on Sept. 14, 1968, his unit was engaged by intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Richardson maneuvered through a hail of hostile rounds and deployed his men into defensive positions while directing their suppressive fire. During the attack, he dragged three wounded soldiers back to safety.
With his platoon surrounded, he realized the only way they would avoid being overrun was with accurate tactical air strikes. Richardson made his way up Hill 222 undetected to call in tactical air strikes from a shallow irrigation ditch with only rubber trees for cover.
Once up the hill, he realized that the enemy force was a large regimental base complex of the 7th North Vietnamese Army Division. Speaking directly to the pilots, Richardson began calling in the airstrikes. An hour in, he was shot in the right leg by a North Vietnamese Army sniper. Richardson continued guiding the pilots for seven more hours, calling in approximately 32 airstrikes until the enemy retreated. His actions saved 85 lives.
PHOTO: The Richardson siblings, pictured at the family farm. From left to right: Command Sgt. Maj. (right) Terry Richardson, Kathy, Becky, Marty, Calvin, Larry, Don and Pat. Photo courtesy of the Richardson family.
For these heroic acts, Richardson was awarded the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Richardson was honorably discharged from active duty on May 9, 1969, and returned to Michigan. He worked in the construction and gas industry, married in 1971, and joined the Michigan National Guard in 1978 after a nine-year break in service. Richardson had a distinguished career and became the post command sergeant major of the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. He retired from military service on Jan. 31, 2008.
After retirement, Richardson remained focused on the military and maintained a connection through volunteer work, such as driving a van for Disabled American Veterans to take veterans to their appointments.
PHOTO: A community honors its hero. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. (right) Terry Richardson is recognized for his long and distinguished military service during a ceremony in Tuscola County, Michigan in November 2019. Photo courtesy of the Richardson family.
The Battle
June 18, 1968 | Near Ap Go Cong, Bình Dương province, Republic of Vietnam
28th Infantry Regiment
Then-Staff Sgt. Terry P. Richardson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry on Sept. 14, 1968, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, near Loc Ninh, Vietnam.
During a fierce battle for Hill 222, a piece of high ground just north of the Loc Ninh controlled by elements of the North Vietnamese 7th Division, Richardson’s company attempted to advance up the hill in tandem with several other companies from the 1st Infantry Division. During the assault, Richardson’s platoon became separated from the rest of the company and got pinned down by ferocious enemy fire which wounded three American soldiers.
Without hesitation, Richardson went to the aid of one soldier while he organized the withdrawal of his platoon. Moving three times through the hail of machine gun and rifle fire, Richardson rescued each of the wounded soldiers and then marked the nearest enemy machine gun bunkers with smoke grenades so they could be targeted by air strikes. His platoon rejoined the company and continued the attack, but it was still dangerously exposed on the lower slopes of the hill with enemy positions all around.
Realizing that his company and the other American units would find it nearly impossible to take the hill unless the main North Vietnamese bunkers were destroyed, Richardson picked up a radio and then sneaked up the hill to a shallow irrigation ditch from where he could direct air strikes. Getting on the radio, he began directing U.S. fighter bombers as they dropped their ordnance on enemy positions across Hill 222.
The irrigation ditch gave Richardson a degree of cover as the bombs exploded all around his position, but an hour into his targeting efforts a North Vietnamese shot his right leg. Ignoring the pain of the wound, Richardson remained on the radio for seven more hours as the battle raged around him. When the enemy withdrew from the hill later that day, he had directed no less than 32 air strikes and guided more than 75,000 pounds of ordnance onto enemy positions. His efforts proved instrumental in saving his company and breaking the North Vietnamese grip on Hill 222.
Richardson's extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.
PHOTO: Staff Sgt. Terry Richardson during operations near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam, in September 1968. Located just miles from the Cambodian border, Lộc Ninh was a key battleground and a hotbed of activity following the Tet Offensive. Richardson’s experiences in intense combat zones like this shaped the leader he became, culminating in a long and distinguished career as a U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major. Photo courtesy of the Richardson family.
The Ceremonies
On March 2, 2026 President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army Soldiers — Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds, posthumous; Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, posthumous; and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson — in a White House ceremony. On March 3, 2026, they were inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes by Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia.
“For me, it's always been about putting Soldiers first. Always. I invested in my Soldiers; I knew every one of them. I knew what they needed, and I also knew their families back home, by what they told me. That's why I wear this Medal of Honor. It will never be my own but I share it with my team.”
Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson,
Hall of Heroes Ceremony, March 3, 2026
RELATED STORIES FROM ARMY.MIL
28th Infantry Regiment
The 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army on Feb. 2, 1901, as Company A, 28th Infantry Regiment and organized on June 10 at Vancouver Barracks, Washington. The 28th Infantry Regiment was dispatched across the Pacific Ocean to fight in the Philippine Insurrection, during which the regiment participated in counter-insurgency activities and earned participation credit for the Mindanao Campaign. After the United States entered World War I, the 28th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 1st Expeditionary Division (later redesignated the 1st Division) on June 8, 1917.
The 28th Infantry was among the first American combat units to arrive in France and spearheaded the assault during the Battle of Cantigny, the first major American victory of the war, for which it earned the moniker “Lions of Cantigny.” Staying in the fight as part of the 1st Division, the regiment participated in the Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne Campaigns. In recognition of the unit’s valor, France bestowed the Croix de Guerre upon the regiment three times. The 28th Infantry Regiment returned to the United States in August 1919, and the 1st Battalion was inactivated on Sept. 20, 1933, at Fort Hayes, Ohio.
After more than two decades assigned to the 1st Division, the 28th Infantry Regiment was relieved of its assignment to the division on Oct. 16, 1939, and was subsequently assigned to the 8th Division (later redesignated the 8th Infantry Division) on June 22, 1940. As the United States built up its armed forces in advance of World War II, the 1st Battalion was activated on Oct. 10, 1940, at Fort Niagara, New York, and was transferred to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where it was joined by the rest of its regiment in December 1940.
In 1941, the 28th Infantry took part in the Carolina Maneuvers and participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers the following year. After this extensive period of training, the regiment departed the United States on Dec. 5, 1943, along with the rest of the 8th Infantry Division, making its way to Northern Ireland. On July 1, 1944, the 8th Infantry Division departed Northern Ireland by sea, bound for France.
Four weeks after the D-Day invasion, the troops of the division disembarked on Utah Beach. The 28th Infantry experienced its first combat of the war a few days later, as the division reinforced the American effort to break through German defenses in Normandy’s hedgerow country.
For its valor during the fighting in Normandy, the 1st Battalion was decorated with a Presidential Unit Citation. The regiment participated in the fighting for the critical port of Brest in late August and early September, after which it traveled across France to Luxembourg. In November, the regiment entered the fray in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest.
The regiment’s 1st and 3d Battalions distinguished themselves in the fighting around Bergstein, for which the 3d Battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation. The regiment fought its way across Germany in the waning days of the war, with its 3d Battalion garnering a second Presidential Unit Citation for its conduct at Stockheim. 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment earned participation credit for the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns.
After returning to the United States, the 1st Battalion was inactivated on Nov. 1, 1945, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being activated again on Aug. 17, 1950, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Still part of the 8th Infantry Division, the 1st Battalion was reorganized and redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 28th Infantry, and saw service in Germany during the early Cold War, participating in readiness exercises as part of USAEUR. It was reassigned to the 1st Infantry Division on May 1, 1959, and reorganized again on Jan. 13, 1964, with the redesignation 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry.
1st Battalion, 28th Infantry arrived in Vietnam alongside the bulk of the 1st Infantry Division in October 1965; initially a mechanized formation, the 1st Battalion had reorganized as a standard infantry battalion. The battalion entered the fray in late 1965. It distinguished itself during the fighting in Tay Ninh Province, for which it received a Presidential Unit Citation, and remained extensively involved in the war until 1970, earning participation credit for eleven separate campaigns during the conflict and twice receiving the Republic of Vietnam’s Cross of Gallantry.
28, 1983, and relieved of its assignment to the 1st Infantry Division. Battalion headquarters were transferred to Training and Doctrine Command on Feb. 27, 1987, and activated at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where it remained until Nov. 16, 2005. The unit was redesignated 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment on Oct. 1, 2005, and assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division on Jan. 16, 2006, and activated at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Following this reactivation, the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment participated in the Global War on Terrorism, deploying to Iraq in support of the Surge. It was transferred to the 3d Infantry Division, and eventually reorganized as a light infantry task force, which deployed to Afghanistan in support of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade. The task force was converted back to a standard infantry battalion on Oct. 23, 2020. The 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment was inactivated on March 24, 2023 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Official Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson
United States Army
Staff Sergeant Terry P. Richardson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on September 14, 1968, while serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his company was tasked with the mission of securing Hill 222 in hostile enemy territory near the Cambodian border. It was a hilly area covered with rubber trees. Lima Platoon was assigned by the company commander to be on point for the mission. Staff Sergeant Richardson directed one of his squads to be the point element leading the way. Shortly after the assault began, three of the squad members became severely wounded and pinned down between three enemy machine gun bunkers. Going back on three separate occasions, Staff Sergeant Richardson advanced forward under heavy enemy fire and recovered his wounded Soldiers between heavy machine gun fire. By the time he was able to make it back to join his unit, his entire company had been completely surrounded by the enemy. Staff Sergeant Richardson gave instructions to his soldiers to cover him and then, without regard for his own safety, advanced to the top of Hill 222 under enemy fire for better sight lines to direct the tactical air strikes. He began to direct the tactical air strikes and shortly thereafter became wounded by an enemy sniper. Staff Sergeant Richardson continued directing the tactical strikes for seven more hours, before the enemy broke contact with him and his company. Six soldiers from his platoon found him, still alive but wounded and unable to hear due to his proximity to the ordnance dropped all around him. Staff Sergeant Richardson declined medical evacuation for his gunshot wound and requested that he be allowed to stay to lead his soldiers. The damage caused to the enemy by his direction of the tactical air strikes allowed his company to secure Hill 222 unopposed saving the lives of 82 fellow soldiers who remained in Alpha Company. Altogether, his actions directly resulted in 85 lives being spared on that fateful day. Staff Sergeant Richardson’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson and Richardson's partner, Betty Gettel, pose with friends for a group photo at a reception in Arlington, Virginia, March 1, 2026, in preparation for a Medal of Honor ceremony scheduled for March 2 at the White House. President Trump will award the Medal of Honor for then-Staff Sgt. Richardson's acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sept. 14, 1968, while serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)
President Donald Trump and retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson stand while the Medal of Honor citation for Richardson is read during a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 2, 2026. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor for then-Staff Sgt. Richardson's acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sept. 14, 1968, while serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann)
President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson during a White House ceremony, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2026. Richardson is awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sept. 14, 1968, while he was a Staff Sgt. serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann)
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer present the Medal of Honor plaque to retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, March 3, 2026, honoring three Army Medal of Honor recipients for their acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Richardson received the award for his actions Sept. 14, 1968, while he was a Staff Sgt. serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer present the Medal of Honor flag to retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, March 3, 2026, honoring three Army Medal of Honor recipients for their acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Richardson received the award for his actions Sept. 14, 1968, while he was a Staff Sgt. serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)
Retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson speaks during a Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, March 3, 2026, honoring three Army Medal of Honor recipients for their acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Richardson received the award for his actions Sept. 14, 1968, while he was a Staff Sgt. serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during action in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)