The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Waegwan, Korea, on 18 and 19 September 1950. When instructions were received for his regiment to cross the Naktong River and break through the Pusan perimeter, Colonel Stephens personally led the reconnaissance party to the vicinity of the proposed river crossing site. Continuously exposed to concentrated enemy fire and observation, he voluntarily went forward alone to a vantage point from which he could better observe the proposed river crossing area. From his visual observation the attack was planned and launched during the early morning hours. Again with complete disregard for his own safety he established his command post at the river crossing. Although under heavy enemy artillery, machine gun and small arms fire, he moved among his men giving last minute instructions and encouragement where necessary. His courage and superior leadership influenced materially the success of the river crossing by his command. His gallant actions and unhesitant devotion to duty reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
21st Infantry RegimentDivision:
24th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 28 – September 7, 1950
Headquarters, IX Corps, General Orders No. 19 (February 7, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Kyongju, Korea, during the period 28 August 1950 to 7 September 1950. When Colonel Stephens was assigned the mission of halting the North Korean Army’s drive down Korea’s east coast, which threatened Pusan, the United Nations’ last remaining seaport in Korea, he immediately made a personal reconnaissance of the front line areas, braving enemy mortar and sniper fire, to confer with the Republic of Korea front line Commanders. After making an estimate of the situation, Colonel Stephens made a decision to commit battalion sized combat teams to strengthen the weak United Nations line and to contain any enemy breakthrough which might develop by aggressive counter-attacks. Throughout this period, Colonel Stephens, exhibiting unsurpassed professional knowledge and ability, made accurate, rapid estimates of each situation confronted, and moved his troops rapidly from area to area, wherever the enemy pressure was the greatest. By his great knowledge of the enemy’s tactics and his maneuvering of troops, he succeeded in blunting and then hurling back the vastly numerically superior enemy’s advance, through a series of successful aggressive counter-attacks. A battalion sized combat team engaged the enemy force and hurled them back in a disorganized retreat at Angang-ni, Pohang-dong, and Kyongju. Throughout the period he went long hours without sleep or food, moving from area to area, always where the fighting was the most fierce. On one occasion, when a strong enemy force struck at the United Nations lines, he moved forward and with complete disregard for personal safety, moved up and down the front line, completely exposed to the enemy fire, directing his troops to continue to place an extremely heavy volume of fire on the attacking enemy. His extreme calmness under enemy fire served as an outstanding example to the men of his command and inspired them to the highest possible degree of determination and efficiency. His superb leadership, during this critical period, was directly responsible for halting the enemy’s advance and establishing a firm United Nations’ Defense line in the sector. Colonel Stephens’ heroic action, above and beyond the call of duty, reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
21st Infantry RegimentDivision:
24th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Stephens and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
“Work Horse of the Western Front – The Story of the 30th Infantry Division” By Robert L. Hewitt(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of the 30th Infantry Division, in the European Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Stephens and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
December 1952 – June 30, 1958
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 24 (July 10, 1958)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from December 1952 to 30 June 1958, culminating as Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, from 1956 to 1958. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Stephens and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
21st Infantry RegimentDivision:
24th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Stephens and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
21st Infantry RegimentDivision:
24th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 9 – 13, 1950
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 114 (March 4, 1951), as amended by General Orders No. 189 (1951)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Warburton Stephens (ASN: 0-15569), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Colonel Stephens distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chochiwon, Korea, during the period from 9 through 13 July 1950. During the early stages of the Korean conflict, Colonel Stephens was assigned the mission of delaying the advance of the North Korean People’s Army pending the buildup of United Nations forces for a counteroffensive. Making a personal reconnaissance of the area, he chose a delaying site in the hills north of Chochiwon where he personally directed the construction of defensive positions and emplacement of automatic weapons, mortars and supporting artillery. When the enemy assault on the delaying position began, he, seemingly oblivious of the intense enemy fire, moved forward of the regiment’s main line of resistance and established an observation post from which he directed the defense of his regiment’s positions. When the observation post was encircled by the enemy, he organized a few men into a combat group and personally led them in an audacious attack on an enemy of overwhelming strength, successfully breaking out of the encirclement and reaching friendly lines. During the entire engagement, he exploited every possible means of stemming the enemy advance and his courage, fearless bearing, and aggressive leadership were largely responsible for the magnificent delaying action fought by his hopelessly outnumbered troops. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Stephens on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.