The Bronze Star


 
  COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

               The President of the United States takes pleasure  in  presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD F. DWORSKY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                            "For heroic achievement in connection with combat opera- tions  against  the  enemy  while  serving  as  Weapons  Platoon Commander, Company  I,  3d  Battalion,  26th  Marines,   1st Marine  Division,  Khe Sanh Combat Base, Republic of  Vietnam.  On  20  January 1968, First  Lieutenant Dworsky  was assisting in  the evacuation of  several wounded  Marines when two  enemy 120mm mortars landed in  the landing zone,  wounding or killing everyone  in  the  area except  First Lieutenant Dworsky.  He quickly  secured two working  radios and called in multiple Medical Evacuations.  Despite  the risk of  further enemy action, he  remained on  the landing zone assisting  the wounded  and organizing their rescue.  Throughout  the  siege,  881S  took  a constant beating from  the North Vietnamese Army's 120mm  mortars.  Since every  position on the hill had been "bracketed" by the enemy, medical evac- uations  were  highly dangerous.  On 8 February 1968, many  mortars  fell on the hill requiring several Medical Evacuations.  When the  first helicopter was destroyed attempting to  land, First Lieutenant Dworsky determined that that a new landing zone would have to be created in an area  not registered by the North Vietnamese Army gunners.  Disregarding  his own personal  safety,  he created a new  landing zone which allowed evacuation of all  casualties.  First Lieutenant Dworsky's courageous actions, initiative, and complete dedication to  duty  reflected  great credit upon  himself  and were  in  keeping  with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
 
 

---------------- For the President,

/s/ C. C. Krulak

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Richard E. Dworsky's History Index

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