Who Am I?
Name: Richard Lee Bosworth
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Richard Lee Bosworth (US51876273), Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 16 February 1968 while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, elements of Company A were conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation in the vicinity of Tay Ninh. As the lead platoon moved into the outskirts of the city and approached a brick wall, it came under attack by antitank rockets, rifle grenades, automatic weapons and small arms fire from an estimated battalion of Viet Cong concealed in well-fortified bunkers. As Specialist Bosworth was positioning his armored personnel carrier for an assault on the enemy positions, the vehicle was struck and disabled by an antitank rocket and he was severely wounded. Completely disregarding his own painful wounds, Specialist Bosworth assisted in the evacuation of the other casualties. Moving through a heavy volume of enemy fire, he climbed aboard another armored vehicle and was positioning it for an attack on the Viet Cong when a grenade exploded on top of the vehicle, wounding him a second time and knocking him from the vehicle. Undaunted by the pain of his wounds and ignoring the fierce fighting raging around him, he obtained a rifle and charged the enemy bunkers alone. After wiping out an enemy rocket position, he charged toward another enemy bunker. While completely exposed to the enemy bullets, he was mortally wounded by a burst of fire from an enemy machine gun. His personal bravery and determination were responsible for saving the lives of many of his comrades. Specialist Bosworth's conspicuous gallantry was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
KIA: 02/16/1968
Alpha Company
2nd Bn 22nd Infantry
Richard Lee Bosworth
KIA Incident Record:
Text of Richard Lee Bosworth's Distinguished Service Cross
US Army Second highest award for bravery
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 8 (February 4, 1969)
Home Town: Marengo, Ohio