Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    December 15, 1950

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 75 (1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Richard W. Lemieux (ASN: RA-11195119), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Tank Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 15 December 1950, in the vicinity of Chigyon, Korea, Private Lemieux, taking no thought for his own safety, deliberately exposed himself to withering enemy fire in order to accomplish the evacuation of his wounded commander and another wounded soldier. He left the shelter of his tank several times during a heavy fire-fight to assist in removing wounded. On one of these occasions he saw his company commander and another soldier lying wounded on the ground unable to move. The enemy was closing in and enemy fire was increasing in intensity, but Private Lemieux went to the wounded pair and succeeded in hoisting them to the rear deck on the engine compartment of his tank where he then crouched, completely exposed, and held them while the tank maneuvered to a position of safety from which they were evacuated. Private Lemieux’s gallantry and courage exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.