Maj Ator #533343078
MOS: 2162 Operations and Training Staff Officer.
When Richard arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to B Company, 4th Infantry Division, USARV and died while serving with Advisory Team 26, Headquarters, MACV Advisers. His home of record is Moses Lake Washington. He started his second tour of Vietnam 28 November 1969. Richard died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the body from hostile mortar fire when the base camp came under attack by hostile forces.
Survived by his wife and 2 children and his parents.
------------------
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Richard Dennis Ator (ASN: 0-96563), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Ator distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 5 March 1970 while serving as District Senior Advisor, Don Duong District, Tuyen Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0200 hours, Major Ator's district headquarters was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, and the initial bombardment was of such intensity that he was separated from the rest of his district team. Disregarding the intensity of the attack, Major Ator moved from his secure position to locate the main effort of the enemy to penetrate the defensive position and barbed wire. He was the first to detect the breach of the defensive wire and alone moved to thwart the ground assault, placing himself between the enemy and the remainder of his team. Major Ator, armed with a grenade launcher, placed continuous and effective fire on the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He continued to fire at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, and then he moved toward the breach in the wire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He continued his courageous defense using his weapon as a club, and blunted the enemy's main attack until he was mortally wounded. Major Ator's unhesitating action nullified the enemy's attempt to eliminate his district team and was responsible for the light casualties sustained by the team. Major Ator's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Silver Star, 2 Bronze Star Medals (Merit) and (Valor).
MOS: 2162 Operations and Training Staff Officer.
When Richard arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to B Company, 4th Infantry Division, USARV and died while serving with Advisory Team 26, Headquarters, MACV Advisers. His home of record is Moses Lake Washington. He started his second tour of Vietnam 28 November 1969. Richard died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the body from hostile mortar fire when the base camp came under attack by hostile forces.
Survived by his wife and 2 children and his parents.
------------------
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Richard Dennis Ator (ASN: 0-96563), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Ator distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 5 March 1970 while serving as District Senior Advisor, Don Duong District, Tuyen Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0200 hours, Major Ator's district headquarters was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, and the initial bombardment was of such intensity that he was separated from the rest of his district team. Disregarding the intensity of the attack, Major Ator moved from his secure position to locate the main effort of the enemy to penetrate the defensive position and barbed wire. He was the first to detect the breach of the defensive wire and alone moved to thwart the ground assault, placing himself between the enemy and the remainder of his team. Major Ator, armed with a grenade launcher, placed continuous and effective fire on the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He continued to fire at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, and then he moved toward the breach in the wire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He continued his courageous defense using his weapon as a club, and blunted the enemy's main attack until he was mortally wounded. Major Ator's unhesitating action nullified the enemy's attempt to eliminate his district team and was responsible for the light casualties sustained by the team. Major Ator's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Silver Star, 2 Bronze Star Medals (Merit) and (Valor).
Maj Ator #533343078
MOS: 2162 Operations and Training Staff Officer.
When Richard arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to B Company, 4th Infantry Division, USARV and died while serving with Advisory Team 26, Headquarters, MACV Advisers. His home of record is Moses Lake Washington. He started his second tour of Vietnam 28 November 1969. Richard died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the body from hostile mortar fire when the base camp came under attack by hostile forces.
Survived by his wife and 2 children and his parents.
------------------
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Richard Dennis Ator (ASN: 0-96563), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Ator distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 5 March 1970 while serving as District Senior Advisor, Don Duong District, Tuyen Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0200 hours, Major Ator's district headquarters was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, and the initial bombardment was of such intensity that he was separated from the rest of his district team. Disregarding the intensity of the attack, Major Ator moved from his secure position to locate the main effort of the enemy to penetrate the defensive position and barbed wire. He was the first to detect the breach of the defensive wire and alone moved to thwart the ground assault, placing himself between the enemy and the remainder of his team. Major Ator, armed with a grenade launcher, placed continuous and effective fire on the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He continued to fire at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, and then he moved toward the breach in the wire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He continued his courageous defense using his weapon as a club, and blunted the enemy's main attack until he was mortally wounded. Major Ator's unhesitating action nullified the enemy's attempt to eliminate his district team and was responsible for the light casualties sustained by the team. Major Ator's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Silver Star, 2 Bronze Star Medals (Merit) and (Valor).
MOS: 2162 Operations and Training Staff Officer.
When Richard arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to B Company, 4th Infantry Division, USARV and died while serving with Advisory Team 26, Headquarters, MACV Advisers. His home of record is Moses Lake Washington. He started his second tour of Vietnam 28 November 1969. Richard died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the body from hostile mortar fire when the base camp came under attack by hostile forces.
Survived by his wife and 2 children and his parents.
------------------
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Richard Dennis Ator (ASN: 0-96563), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Ator distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 5 March 1970 while serving as District Senior Advisor, Don Duong District, Tuyen Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0200 hours, Major Ator's district headquarters was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, and the initial bombardment was of such intensity that he was separated from the rest of his district team. Disregarding the intensity of the attack, Major Ator moved from his secure position to locate the main effort of the enemy to penetrate the defensive position and barbed wire. He was the first to detect the breach of the defensive wire and alone moved to thwart the ground assault, placing himself between the enemy and the remainder of his team. Major Ator, armed with a grenade launcher, placed continuous and effective fire on the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He continued to fire at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, and then he moved toward the breach in the wire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He continued his courageous defense using his weapon as a club, and blunted the enemy's main attack until he was mortally wounded. Major Ator's unhesitating action nullified the enemy's attempt to eliminate his district team and was responsible for the light casualties sustained by the team. Major Ator's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Silver Star, 2 Bronze Star Medals (Merit) and (Valor).
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
