LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICHARD D. WANDKE, (then Captain), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Wandke distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 May 1969 while commanding his company on a search and destroy mission southwest of landing zone Mary Lou. When one of the rifle squads surprised seven enemy soldiers and opened fire, Captain Wandke immediately deployed the remainder of the unit to assist. Hostile reinforcements meanwhile had arrived in huge numbers and began to place tremendous firepower on the companyís perimenter. Despite the devastating artillery fire directed on the enemy positions, Captain Wandkeís unit sustained heavy casualties. As soon as Captain Wandke rallied his men to force the enemy to break off their assault temporarily, he directed every man who was able to withdraw from the area to establish a landing zone for evacuating the wounded. Although wounded himself, Captain Wandke alone stayed behind to protect the dead and critically wounded. For three harrowing hours he directed artillery fire on hostile emplacements and with his individual weapon prevented the enemy from overrunning his position. Captain Wandkeís extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

LTC. Wandke was the Legion of Valor National Commander 1994-1995. He was also the Chaplain for a number of years and resides in Southern California.