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.

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.