Terry P. Richardson

Terry Patrick Richardson (born 7 January 1948) is a retired United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor on 2 March 2026 for his actions on 14 September 1968 during the Vietnam War.

Early life Richardson was born on 7 January 1948 in Cass City, Michigan. The oldest of 13 children, he worked at his father's gas station and on his family's 80-acre farm growing up. From eighth grade to graduation, he played basketball, football, baseball and track. He graduated from Akron-Fairgrove School in 1966 and worked with his father and grandfather on the family farm.

Military career Richardson was drafted and entered the United States Army in May 1967 and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama, to undergo Infantry Advanced Individual Training. Shortly after, he was selected to attend Non-Commissioned Officer School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated with honors and was promoted to staff sergeant on 22 January 1968. He was then assigned as a tactical non-commissioned officer at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He received orders to deploy to South Vietnam and was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in May 1968.

Honors and awards Richardson's personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge

Unit awardsRVN Gallantry Cross Unit CitationRVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation

1st Infantry Division Distinctive unit insignia

Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with "RIFLE" clasp