This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SFC Scott Daniels
to remember
Roberts, Richard Dean (Dick), SFC.
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SFC Roberts served with B Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He went missing during operations near the Cambodian border. Their action had begun on 24 March when they first came into contact with enemy troops.
They were last seen approximately 1 mile north of Dak Seang, 2 miles due west of the tri-border junction where South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia join, 13 miles west-northwest of Dak To and 35 miles north-northwest of the town of Kontum, Kontum Province, South Vietnam.
On 5 April, a search of the area by a reconnaissance team found some letters belonging to PFC Hicks along with the cover from a Bible belonging to PFC Herrera, but there was no sign of the three missing soldiers. Because of the heavy enemy presence in the area, it was believed by the military that it was entirely possible they were captured. At the time the formal search was terminated, PFC Prentice Hicks, PFC Frederick Herrera and PFC Dick Roberts were all listed Missing In Action.
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
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 Sergeant First Class [then Private First Class] Richard Dean Roberts, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, on 25 March 1969, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
His actions, without regard for his own safety, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 5 (March 7, 1979)
Action Date: March 25, 1969
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Company: Company B
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Regiment: 8th Infantry Regiment
Division: 4th Infantry Division
Other Comments:
I came across SFC Roberts' profile while searching for old buddies. While doing so, I looked down at my wrist, at the scratched and worn POW/MIA bracelet that has adorned my wrist since 1992 which bears SFC Roberts' name. I decided I would look to see if he had a profile, and lo and behold, he did. Then I saw it was up for "adoption" and figured this would be a great chance to learn about and honor the warrior who's name I've worn as a rememberance and legacy for most of my military career.
I made a rubbing of his name when I visited the Vietnam Memorial in D.C. and have it to this day.
Here are some statistics on this brother-in-arms:
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Lansing, Michigan
Date of birth: Friday, 04/30/1948
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Selective Service)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: Sergeant First Class (See Note below)
ID No: 381466230
MOS: 11B10 Infantryman
LenSvc: Not recorded
Unit: B CO, 1ST BN, 8TH INF RGT, 4 INF DIV
Note: E3 at loss. Promoted while in MIA status
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Not recorded
Incident Date: Tuesday, 03/25/1969
Change Status: Monday, 07/31/1978
Missing to Died while Missing
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Not Recovered
Location: Kontum, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died While Missing
Reason: Not Reported - Ground Casualty
