The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Richard Raymond Ratzlaff (NSN: 0-681476), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1966 to May 1967. As a member of a two-man team, he contributed to the eventual physical and mental recovery of a fellow prisoner who had been severely wounded and tortured almost to the point of death. While attending to every need including medical care, personal hygiene, forced feeding including use of some of his own rations, and mental therapy, he himself experienced severe weight loss and physical strain from constant Vietnamese harassment. His demonstrated qualities of loyalty, sacrifice, and heroism in directly saving his fellow POW’s life reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Richard Raymond Ratzlaff (NSN: 0-681476), United States Navy, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period from August 1966 to May 1968. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]