Silver Star Awarded to Naval Particular Warfare Legend > United States Navy > News-Tales

On Jan. 17, over 50 years later, Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander, Naval Particular Warfare (NSW) Command, offered the Silver Star to retired Rear Adm. Richards for his actions that day because the assistant patrol chief of Zulu Platoon. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro upgraded the unique Bronze Star, recognizing the meritorious nature of Richards’ actions.

 

“Right now we have been lucky to attend a really lengthy overdue ceremony to acknowledge certainly one of Naval Particular Warfare’s truest warriors, tribal elders and incredible teammates,” mentioned Naval Particular Warfare Pressure Grasp Chief (SEAL) Walter S. Dittmar. “His humility was completely evident in the truth that he nonetheless acknowledges and defers to all of the brothers who have been round him for why he’s alive at the moment.”

 

Regardless of initially being advisable for the Silver Star and demonstrating braveness beneath hearth typical of upper awards, the workers for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam initially advisable Richards for a Bronze Star. The choice by Del Toro to improve the award is a reminder that the braveness, grit, and integrity of previous NSW teammates kinds the usual upheld locally at the moment.

 

“The improve to the Silver Star supplies recognition of the truth that issues went terribly incorrect that day in South Vietnam,” mentioned Richards.

 

“Extra importantly, it brings consideration to the truth that the SEALs and different particular operations forces are put in these conditions to help our nation’s overseas coverage in essentially the most harmful method. This Silver Star reminds our nation that we now have individuals risking their lives for the democracy we take pleasure in every day.”

 

A local of Bay Shore, New York, Richards’ background in lifeguarding, wrestling, and expertise with small boats led him to consider that the Navy Underwater Demolition Groups could be a pure match. Furthermore, as somebody who might squat and deadlift greater than 500 kilos, he was properly ready for the arduous bodily evolutions of BUD/S apart from the runs. His heavier body was punished by the tender sand, and the runs left him “puking in entrance of the Lodge Del (Coronado) extra instances than you wish to know.”

 

Richards credit his mother and father for instilling in him the values of integrity, bravery, and self-sacrifice — beliefs additional refined throughout his navy coaching. Reflecting on his actions, the retired SEAL matter-of-factly talked about that he was laser centered on managing the state of affairs and getting his teammates to security.

 

“Considering again on that day, I by no means gave any thought to my very own private publicity to enemy hearth,” Richards mentioned. “ I wished to get my buddies out of hazard and to security.”

 

When questioned concerning the nature of his braveness and whether or not it is innate or imbued via rigorous navy coaching, Richards sees it as a mix of the 2. In his view, the candidates that start SEAL coaching have already got the instruments constructed into their persona; it is the job of the SEAL instructors to convey these values to the floor. Furthermore, the bonds shaped throughout coaching and pre-deployment workups made it in order that he would danger his life relatively than depart a teammate behind. His bravery speaks to the truth that Naval Particular Warfare’s selectivity is constructed on the rock-solid basis of earned respect and an unbreakable dedication to the mission.

 

Saving his teammates in Vietnam was just the start of the frogman’s lengthy and colourful profession. Over the subsequent 30 years, Richards would “comply with the conflicts,” main particular operations missions within the Arabian Gulf throughout Operation Praying Mantis and Operation Prime Probability. He would additionally serve in quite a few workers and command positions, together with as government officer of Underwater Demolition Crew 12 and as commanding officer of Particular Boat Unit 13,  SEAL Crew One, and Naval Particular Warfare Middle. His closing submit could be as commander of Naval Particular Warfare Command from 1996-1999, after which he retired from lively responsibility.

 

Due to his in depth expertise on the tip of the spear in varied conflicts, Richards is uniquely certified to touch upon how NSW can advance capabilities that instantly contribute to built-in deterrence and campaigning for affect.

 

“What most individuals don’t perceive about NSW is that we’re one of the best drawback solvers round. Bar none,” Richards mentioned. “Particular operations and NSW exist as a result of there’s that set of missions that take a special method to efficiently execute.”

 

Because the NSW neighborhood shifts its focus to creating the pressure for strategic competitors, Richards factors out that NSW have to be prepared to adapt and innovate to execute its function of gaining, sustaining, and lengthening entry for theater warfare commanders and the Fleet.

 

“We have to be versatile in response to vary,” Richards mentioned. “Extra importantly, we should place ourselves forward of change coming from our adversaries or potential adversaries.”

 

Effusive in his reward of others, Richards is a stellar instance of the servant management requisite of any naval officer. When discussing how the incident in Vietnam impacted his profession and management model, Richards made it clear that he considered his function because the commander of Naval Particular Warfare as one during which he “labored for six,000 individuals, not that there have been 6,000 individuals beneath my command.” Furthermore, he discovered early the significance of caring for his individuals first “drag the injured males out of the rice paddy, keep up as late as that you must get the Fitreps and awards carried out proper for these inside your command,” he mentioned.

 

Evident when talking with the retired admiral is the significance of household and private relationships. His father, who had a profitable legislation enforcement profession, offered self-discipline that served Richards throughout his personal profession. In line with the Richards, the BUD/S instructors by no means struck as a lot worry in him as his father did throughout a highschool wrestling competitors. The revolutionary younger athlete had beforehand invented a brand new transfer which was shortly banned. After witnessing his son’s blatant use of the now unlawful transfer, the elder Richards’ stood up from the bleachers and known as out to his son in a tone extra chilling than any future teacher.

 

Along with the quite a few commanding officers and government officers he served beneath, his spouse of 52 years, Jackie, is a supply of power and inspiration. Jackie, whom he describes as probably the most sensible people he ever met, offered knowledge and counsel over Richards’ profession. His recommendation for these pursuing careers in particular operations and making an attempt to make a relationship work is to know the large burden you are asking of your associate. Simply as a superb teammate places their fellow SEALs first, equally, one have to be thoughtful and accommodating in household life.

 

All through their historical past, U.S. naval commandos have pioneered particular operations from the ocean and waterways. These have been irregular warfare missions from the maritime flanks of the enemy. Our forefather’s resolute instance conjures up how Naval Particular Warfare at the moment is evolving to combat beneath, on, and above the ocean to realize and preserve entry for the Fleet and joint pressure. For Richards, receiving the Silver Star is long-deserved recognition of his meritorious actions. A warrior, husband, chief, and teammate, his affect is felt by our particular operators at the moment, as they proceed to adapt and alter to fulfill the challenges of tomorrow.