Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Henry
Free
1914-01-08

–

2001-07-15

Born:

, 

Iowa

Home:

Davenport

, 

Iowa

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Richard Free graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1940. He retired in 1972 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Richard Henry Free (ASN: 0-22925), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1966 to 1969.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers)

    Batallion:

    101st Engineer Combat Battalion

    Division:

    26th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Richard Henry Free (ASN: 0-22925), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 101st Engineer Combat Battalion, 26th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Free, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Corps of Engineers)

    Regiment:

    1169th Engineer Combat Group

    Action Date:

    1952 – 1953
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Richard Henry Free (ASN: 0-22925), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 14th Engineer Combat Battalion and later of the 1169th Engineer Combat Group, in Korea, from 1952 to 1953.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1972
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Richard Henry Free (ASN: 0-22925), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1969 to 1972.