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Tag: Silver Star

230117-N-RY670-1013 - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jan. 17, 2023) – Retired Rear Adm. Thomas Richards is presented the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while deployed to Vietnam, Jan. 30, 1971, by Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, during an awards ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Jan. 17, 2023. The upgraded award reflects the courage, grit, and integrity of past Naval Special Warfare teammates that formed the standard upheld by today’s maritime special operators. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Owen)

Silver Star Awarded to Naval Special Warfare Legend

Jan. 19, 2023

A half-century ago, Lt. j.g. Thomas Richards, fighting through injury and exhaustion in the rice paddies of Vietnam, made repeated trips through enemy gunfire to rescue three injured SEAL Team One Zulu Platoon teammates. Nicknamed "The Hulk" for his size and strength, Richards demonstrated uncommon valor by hauling the wounded men across a dike and then lifting each into a friendly helicopter for evacuation. Without his courageous runs into the "kill zone," the other men on patrol would not have survived the day.