Navy Federal Credit Union

Richard Cushman was captured during the Korean War and interned as a Prisoner of War. He was not among those returned at the war’s end, and is listed as Missing in Action. His remains were recovered and identified in 2017 and returned home for burial.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Korean War)

    Action Date:

    December 5, 1950 – MIA In Captivity

    Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office

    Sergeant First Class Richard G. Cushman (ASN: RA-19352760), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 5 December 1950 during the Korean War. He was unaccounted for after the war and is presumed to have died or been killed while in captivity.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    72d Tank Battalion

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 1 – 4, 1950

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 92 (November 24, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Richard Granville Cushman (ASN: RA-19352760), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 72d Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 1 to 4 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. On 1 September 1950 Sergeant Cushman volunteered for a patrol that was to move through territory where the enemy had penetrated the infantry’s defensive positions and had surrounded and overrun several rifle companies. While on this patrol he voluntarily manned the antiaircraft mounted .50 caliber machine gun which made it necessary for him to ride on the exposed rear deck of the tank. Despite the intense small arms fire from both flanks and the front he refused to leave his dangerous position and continued to deliver effective and accurate fire in support of the belabored infantry. Largely through his actions, the tank patrol aided in successfully halting the enemy while the infantry formed a new defensive line which eventually stopped the enemy’s advance. On 4 September 1950 he again voluntarily manned the .50 caliber machine gun on the rear deck of his tank while his section was attacking a strongly defended enemy position. Although subjected o intense enemy anti-tank gun and small arms fire he remained in his exposed position and delivered a heavy concentration of machine gun fire upon the enemy. During this action the tank upon which he was riding was hit by anti-tank fire seven times. His heroic conduct was greatly instrumental to the accomplishment of the section’s mission and in recovering two dead American soldiers. His gallantry on these occasions was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.