LTC RICHARD JOHN RINALDO, (then Captain), U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, American Division. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Rinaldo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 March 1969 while commanding his company in an attempt to capture a strategic hill near Tien Phuoc. Braving heavy automatic weapons fire from well-concealed, fortified North Vietnamese Army positions, Captain Rinaldo led his men in securing the western half of the hilltop. As he began to evacuate his unit’s nine casualties, heavy mortar and machine gun fire erupted from the valley below, with one of the first mortar rounds wounding the entire command group of a sister company that was bringing up reinforcements. Elements trying to go down the hill were pinned down by small arms fire from the flank and the remaining troops of both companies were exhausted after fighting and carrying casualties in the intense heat. Captain Rinaldo moved among his men, calming them and preventing panic. He was wounded by mortar fragments, but, refusing medical aid, continued to encourage his soldiers and called in gun ships against the enemy mortar and machine gun emplacements. Although he had now suffered twenty-six casualties, including all of his platoon leaders and platoon sergeants, he realized pulling back under the hostile barrage would result in many more injuries. Rallying the ten men who were still able to fight, he held off the communists until he had directed air strikes against the enemy mortar position. He then covered his troops withdrawal, staying behind and directing gun ship strikes within twenty meters of his position. When he went to the landing zone, he reorganized the remnants of both companies and established a defensive perimeter on a nearby hill. Captain Rinaldo’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the miltary service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

LTC Rinaldo joined the Legion of Valor in 1975 and is a life member.