LT. COL. RICHARD M. DOEZEMA, (then First Lieutenant) United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism as an Artillery Forward Observer of the Eleventh Company, Third Battalion, First Korean Marine Corps Regiment in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the early morning of 24 Apri1 1951. When the adjacent unit was overrun and his position threatened by the rapidly approaching enemy during a violent attack by a numerically superior hostile force, First Lieutenant Doezema fearlessly braved intense enemy fire to assist in assigning friendly troops to strategic positions from which they could effectively resist the violent onslaught. Moving constantly among his troops despite the continued assault, he shouted words of encouragement to his men and, personally taking over abandoned weapons, placed accurate fire on the assailants and called for supporting artillery barrages to drive back the attacking units. A courageous and aggressive leader throughout this fierce action, he succeeded in rallying the confused allied troops to defend the strategic ground for several hours until ordered to withdraw. By his indomitable courage and inspiring devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Doezema upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Lt. Col. Doezema joined the Legion of Valor as a life member and resides in Michigan.