Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA
Home: Abbeville, Louisiana
DOB: Friday, 10/20/1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married? No
Religion: Roman Catholic
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Marine Corps
Comp: Regular
Grade: E5
Rank: Sergeant
ID No: 2125809
MOS: 0311 - RIFLEMAN
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: G CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Sunday, 10/15/1967
Cas Date: Thursday, 05/02/1968
Age at Loss: 23
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
Last Update: May 1969
ON THE WALL
Panel 53E Line 044
United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, is named the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building".
Sergeant
Richard Franklin Abshire
Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire (MCSN: 2125809), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 May 1968. Sergeant Abshire's unit and a sister company were launched on a coordinated attack against a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dinh To, Quang Tri Province. As the Marines entered the village, they were taken under devastating enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire which inflicted numerous casualties and temporarily halted the lead platoon of each company. Directed to establish a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Abshire immediately deployed his men into advantageous firing positions and commenced directing a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy emplacements. As the enemy fire increased in volume and accuracy, it became apparent that the North Vietnamese force was preparing to launch a counterattack. Rapidly obtaining grenades from his fellow Marines, Sergeant Abshire boldly exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy fire and threw several grenades into the enemy's ranks, temporarily halting their assault. Returning to his unit, he moved from position to position, despite intense enemy fire, to pinpoint hostile targets and encourage his men. As their ammunition supply depleted, he ordered his men to withdraw across a river and resolutely provided covering fire, which enabled his men to reach positions of relative safety. After expending his ammunition, he was attempting to rejoin his unit when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. By his superior leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Abshire inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
PERSONAL DATA
Home: Abbeville, Louisiana
DOB: Friday, 10/20/1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married? No
Religion: Roman Catholic
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Marine Corps
Comp: Regular
Grade: E5
Rank: Sergeant
ID No: 2125809
MOS: 0311 - RIFLEMAN
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: G CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Sunday, 10/15/1967
Cas Date: Thursday, 05/02/1968
Age at Loss: 23
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
Last Update: May 1969
ON THE WALL
Panel 53E Line 044
United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, is named the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building".
Sergeant
Richard Franklin Abshire
Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire (MCSN: 2125809), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 May 1968. Sergeant Abshire's unit and a sister company were launched on a coordinated attack against a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dinh To, Quang Tri Province. As the Marines entered the village, they were taken under devastating enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire which inflicted numerous casualties and temporarily halted the lead platoon of each company. Directed to establish a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Abshire immediately deployed his men into advantageous firing positions and commenced directing a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy emplacements. As the enemy fire increased in volume and accuracy, it became apparent that the North Vietnamese force was preparing to launch a counterattack. Rapidly obtaining grenades from his fellow Marines, Sergeant Abshire boldly exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy fire and threw several grenades into the enemy's ranks, temporarily halting their assault. Returning to his unit, he moved from position to position, despite intense enemy fire, to pinpoint hostile targets and encourage his men. As their ammunition supply depleted, he ordered his men to withdraw across a river and resolutely provided covering fire, which enabled his men to reach positions of relative safety. After expending his ammunition, he was attempting to rejoin his unit when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. By his superior leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Abshire inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA
Home: Abbeville, Louisiana
DOB: Friday, 10/20/1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married? No
Religion: Roman Catholic
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Marine Corps
Comp: Regular
Grade: E5
Rank: Sergeant
ID No: 2125809
MOS: 0311 - RIFLEMAN
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: G CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Sunday, 10/15/1967
Cas Date: Thursday, 05/02/1968
Age at Loss: 23
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
Last Update: May 1969
ON THE WALL
Panel 53E Line 044
United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, is named the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building".
Sergeant
Richard Franklin Abshire
Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire (MCSN: 2125809), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 May 1968. Sergeant Abshire's unit and a sister company were launched on a coordinated attack against a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dinh To, Quang Tri Province. As the Marines entered the village, they were taken under devastating enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire which inflicted numerous casualties and temporarily halted the lead platoon of each company. Directed to establish a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Abshire immediately deployed his men into advantageous firing positions and commenced directing a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy emplacements. As the enemy fire increased in volume and accuracy, it became apparent that the North Vietnamese force was preparing to launch a counterattack. Rapidly obtaining grenades from his fellow Marines, Sergeant Abshire boldly exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy fire and threw several grenades into the enemy's ranks, temporarily halting their assault. Returning to his unit, he moved from position to position, despite intense enemy fire, to pinpoint hostile targets and encourage his men. As their ammunition supply depleted, he ordered his men to withdraw across a river and resolutely provided covering fire, which enabled his men to reach positions of relative safety. After expending his ammunition, he was attempting to rejoin his unit when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. By his superior leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Abshire inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
PERSONAL DATA
Home: Abbeville, Louisiana
DOB: Friday, 10/20/1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married? No
Religion: Roman Catholic
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Marine Corps
Comp: Regular
Grade: E5
Rank: Sergeant
ID No: 2125809
MOS: 0311 - RIFLEMAN
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: G CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Sunday, 10/15/1967
Cas Date: Thursday, 05/02/1968
Age at Loss: 23
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
Last Update: May 1969
ON THE WALL
Panel 53E Line 044
United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, is named the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building".
Sergeant
Richard Franklin Abshire
Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire (MCSN: 2125809), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 May 1968. Sergeant Abshire's unit and a sister company were launched on a coordinated attack against a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dinh To, Quang Tri Province. As the Marines entered the village, they were taken under devastating enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire which inflicted numerous casualties and temporarily halted the lead platoon of each company. Directed to establish a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Abshire immediately deployed his men into advantageous firing positions and commenced directing a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy emplacements. As the enemy fire increased in volume and accuracy, it became apparent that the North Vietnamese force was preparing to launch a counterattack. Rapidly obtaining grenades from his fellow Marines, Sergeant Abshire boldly exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy fire and threw several grenades into the enemy's ranks, temporarily halting their assault. Returning to his unit, he moved from position to position, despite intense enemy fire, to pinpoint hostile targets and encourage his men. As their ammunition supply depleted, he ordered his men to withdraw across a river and resolutely provided covering fire, which enabled his men to reach positions of relative safety. After expending his ammunition, he was attempting to rejoin his unit when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. By his superior leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Abshire inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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