The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*SHEA, RICHARD T., JR.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant,
U.S. Army, Company A 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date:
Near Sokkogae, Korea, 6 to 8 July 1953. Entered service at: Portsmouth, Va. Born:
3 January 1927, Portsmouth, Va. G.O. No.: 38, 8 June 1955.
Citation:
1st Lt. Shea, executive officer, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry
and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On
the night of 6 July, he was supervising the reinforcement of defensive positions when the
enemy attacked with great numerical superiority. Voluntarily proceeding to the area most
threatened, he organized and led a counterattack and, in the bitter fighting which ensued,
closed with and killed 2 hostile soldiers with his trench knife. Calmly moving among the
men, checking positions, steadying and urging the troops to hold firm, he fought side by
side with them throughout the night. Despite heavy losses, the hostile force pressed the
assault with determination, and at dawn made an all-out attempt to overrun friendly
elements. Charging forward to meet the challenge, 1st Lt. Shea and his gallant men drove
back the hostile troops. Elements of Company G joined the defense on the afternoon of 7
July, having lost key personnel through casualties. Immediately integrating these troops
into his unit, 1st Lt. Shea rallied a group of 20 men and again charged the enemy.
Although wounded in this action, he refused evacuation and continued to lead the
counterattack. When the assaulting element was pinned down by heavy machinegun fire, he
personally rushed the emplacement and, firing his carbine and lobbing grenades with deadly
accuracy, neutralized the weapon and killed 3 of the enemy. With forceful leadership and
by his heroic example, 1st Lt. Shea coordinated and directed a holding action throughout
the night and the following morning. On 8 July, the enemy attacked again. Despite
additional wounds, he launched a determined counterattack and was last seen in close
hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. 1st Lt. Shea's inspirational leadership and
unflinching courage set an illustrious example of valor to the men of his regiment,
reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military
service.
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