Karl Richter Graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. In September 1966 he received one aerial victory credit for shooting down an enemy MiG-17. Three months after the mission that earned him the Air Force Cross, on July 28, 1967, Lieutenant Richter died of wounds received when his F-105 was shot down and he was forced to bail out over North Vietnam. Still alive when he was picked up by a rescue helicopter, he died while being carried back to friendly territory.
Sponsored by:
Karl
Wendell
Richter
KIA (RVN)
October 4, 1942
–
July 28, 1967
Cemetery:
U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery
Awards Received
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
421st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 20, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, as the leader of a flight of F-105s on a mission over North Vietnam on 20 April 1967. The target, a very important railroad facility, was defended by several hundred anti-aircraft artillery emplacement and SA-2 missiles. Lieutenant Richter’s mission was to destroy or limit fire from these defenses immediately before a strike on this facility by fighter bombers. Arriving over the approach to the target, he found clouds obscuring navigational references and increasing the danger from unobserved SAM launches. Despite weather conditions, Lieutenant Richter, with great professional skill and undaunted determination, led his flight through a barrage of missiles to the target. Braving the heavy concentrated fire of the anti-aircraft artillery, he positioned his flight and attacked the defenses, causing heavy damage. As a result of his efforts, the fighter bombers of the main strike force encountered only limited defensive fire and destroyed this vital railroad facility. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, First Lieutenant Richter reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
41st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
September 21, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 fighter aircraft of the 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 21 September 1966. On that date, while attacking a heavily defended target, Lieutenant Richter’s leader was attacked by two MiG-17’s. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Richter attacked and destroyed one of the MiG-17’s and caused the other to break off his attack. Lieutenant Richter’s courageous and aggressive attack against a highly maneuverable foe enabled his leader and wingman to safely return to their forward base. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Richter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
41st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 26, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 fighter aircraft of the 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 26 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Richter was a member of the flak suppression flight against a vital Joint Chief of Staff target. Despite extremely poor weather conditions, and intense hostile antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Richter effectively silenced the flak sites defending the target. After departing the target area and post strike refueling, Lieutenant Richter conducted a search and rescue effort for a downed aircrew very near the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Richter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
41st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
December 4, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 fighter aircraft of the 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 4 December 1966. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Lieutenant Richter demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. Lieutenant Richter displayed outstanding heroism and devotion to duty and reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
41st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105 fighter aircraft of the 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 25 April 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Richter, despite accurate intense flak, missiles, and MiGs in the target area, successfully destroyed his assigned target of the Hanoi Railroad and Rolling Stock Repair Facility. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Richter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
41st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 6, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Karl Wendell Richter (AFSN: 0-78872), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 fighter aircraft of the 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 6 May 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Richter, under adverse weather conditions, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and with a severely damaged aircraft pressed the attack and delivered his ordnance precisely on the vital Yen Bay Rail Yard. After the attack, nursing a badly crippled aircraft, Lieutenant Richter performed rescap for his downed leader. With unwavering courage and skill and without thought of his own safety, he remained over the pilot until darkness. Then, reluctantly departing his downed comrade, he returned to his home base and skillfully effected a successful recovery of his badly damaged aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Richter has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.