The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Richard Irving Neal (MCSN: 0-92178), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Senior Marine Advisor, Fourth Infantry Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps, while conducting combat operations in Phuc Veng Province, Cambodia. At approximately 1400 hours on 22 May 1970, Captain Neal was airborne with his counterpart in a command and control helicopter directing the effort of a U.S. Air Cavalry package. A light observation helicopter scout was hit by heavy enemy ground fire and crashed on a canal bank, injuring the pilot and observer. Also taking several hits on the aircraft, the pilot of the command and control helicopter landed within 150 meters of the downed helicopter. Captain Neal ran through open terrain and enemy fire directed at the crash site to the aid of the injured airmen. He reached the two downed airmen who were attempting to scale the canal bank, assisted them out of the water and up the bank while subjected to heavy enemy fire from the other bank. He carried one crew member back to the command and control helicopter, returned through an increasing volume of enemy fire, and assisted the second, who was making slow progress due to his injuries. The command and control helicopter had taken addition hits, despite continued suppressive fire by friendly gun ships. Captain Neal’s reaction in the face of grave danger and extraordinary personal courage saved the lives of the two injured airmen. His strong sense of duty toward his fellow fighting men was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard Irving Neal (MCSN: 0-92178), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Artillery Forward Observer attached to Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 and 31 March 1967, First Lieutenant Neal was serving with Company I Command Group during Operation PRAIRIE III in Quang Tri Province. The company had established a night position on Hill 70 in the vicinity of Cam Lo near the Demilitarized Zone when it came under heavy enemy mortar fire. The Command Group immediately sustained numerous casualties and the Company Commander and the Executive Officer were killed during the initial moments of the attack. Quickly and expertly assessing the tactical situation, First Lieutenant NEAL immediately assumed command of the surviving members of the Command Group and, with exceptional professional skill and resolute determination, reorganized his unit and succeeded in gaining fire superiority over the numerically superior enemy force. Closely supervising the rapidly changing situation, he courageously moved throughout the fire-swept area directing counter fire and encouraging his men. Simultaneously, he skillfully called for and directed air and artillery support, which was instrumental in forcing the enemy to break contact. As the attack diminished, First Lieutenant Neal hastily reinforced his perimeter and secured a landing zone for the evacuation of the casualties. His daring and heroic actions undoubtedly prevented the enemy from overrunning his unit’s position. By his inspiring leadership, aggressive fighting spirit, and courage in the face of enemy fire, First Lieutenant Neal upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.