COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR RICHARD L. CHILDERS is another whose extraordinary heroism in Vietnam was recognized by award of the Distinguished Service Cross. He was 1st Sergeant of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division on a search and destroy mission forty miles from Pleiku. On 26 May 1967, Sergeant Childer’s company was attacked by a battalion of North Viatnamese regulars using automatic weapons, rockets and mortars. He took charge of the company in the early moments of battle when both the company commander and a platoon leader were killed. After immediately forming his men into a defensive perimeter, he established radio contact with battalion headquarters to keep it informed of the situation and set up resupply points for ammunition and water. On several occasions he braved withering fire to crawl to the aid of his wounded men and assist them to safety. Continually ignoring the extreme danger, Sergeant Childers moved throughout the company directing fire and rallying his men. Painfully wounded in the later stages of the battle, he refused medical aid as long as the enemy continued to attack. His dauntless courage and remarkable leadership inspired his men to fight fiercely until reinforecments arrived.

CSM Childers joined the Legion of Valor in 1975 and resided in Washington state.