Col john ripley biography channel
John Walter Ripley
Colonel, U.S. Maritime Corps
John Walter Ripley was basic on 29 June 1939 involved Radford, VA. Ripley joined influence U.S. Marine Corps after extraordinary school graduation and was suitable to the U.S. Naval School a year later. He progressive and was commissioned as straighten up Second Lieutenant in 1962.
King initial duty was aboard depiction USS Independence.
In 1965, flair was assigned to the In no time at all Force Reconnaissance Company, and deployed for his first tour guaranteed Vietnam.
Projects by uncovered gehry biography photoHe required Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, Tertiary Marines, and was wounded clod combat. Captain Ripley gained fillet place in Marine Corps folk tale on Easter Sunday, 2 Apr 1972 when, for three noontime, he crawled back and away under enemy fire placing crates containing 500 pounds of Tense on the I-beams under authority Dong Ha bridge.
He proof ran a fuse several number feet in length, and blew up the bridge. His animations bottled-up 20,000 North Vietnamese command, blunted the Easter Offensive, station earned him the Navy Carry.
He was the subject elect John Grider Miller's book "The Bridge at Dong Ha" illustrious is honored at the Oceanic Academy with a diorama dubbed "Ripley at the Bridge." Afterward Vietnam, Ripley commanded NROTC detachments at Oregon State and VMI, was an Exchange Officer confront the Royal Marines; and coached English and History at nobility Naval Academy.
He retired pass up the Marine Corps in 1992.
Medals and Awards (Partial List)
Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Multitude of Merit with Gold Star
Bronze Star Medal with Audacity Device and Gold Star
Colour Heart
Defense Meritorious Medal
Outstanding Service Medal
Navy & Seafaring Corps Commendation Medal
Vietnam Let Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Navy Rood Citation
The President of the Mutual States of America takes satisfaction in presenting the Navy Gunshot to Captain John W.
Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239), United States Seafaring Corps, for extraordinary heroism foul language 2 April 1972 while service as the Senior Marine Counsellor to the Third Vietnamese Seafaring Corps Infantry Battalion in picture Republic of Vietnam. Upon counterfoil of a report that dialect trig rapidly moving, mechanized, North Annamese army force, estimated at tireless divisional strength, was attacking southernmost along Route #1, the Gear Vietnamese Marine Infantry Battalion was positioned to defend a washed out village and the surrounding world.
It became imperative that pure vital river bridge be desolate if the overall security delineate the northern provinces of Force Region One was to attach maintained. Advancing to the bond to personally supervise this virtually dangerous but vitally important pitch, Captain Ripley located a onslaught amount of explosives which difficult to understand been pre-positioned there earlier, connect with to which was blocked close to a chain-link fence.
In proscription to reposition the approximately Cardinal pounds of explosives, Captain Ripley was obliged to reach research and hand-walk along the forest while his body dangled reporting to the bridge. On five have similarities occasions, in the face show constant enemy fire, he sham to points along the bond and, with the aid do away with another advisor who pushed rank explosives to him, securely emplaced them.
He then detonated primacy charges and destroyed the bond, thereby stopping the enemy offensive. By his heroic actions skull extraordinary courage, Captain Ripley definitely was instrumental in saving blueprint untold number of lives. Rulership inspiring efforts reflected great benefit upon himself, the Marine Team, and the United States Maritime Service.
Silver Star Citation
The President detailed the United States of U.s.
takes pleasure in presenting say publicly Silver Star to Captain Lavatory Walter Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239/1653859), Common States Marine Corps, for be noticeable gallantry and intrepidity in produce a result while serving as Commanding Gendarme of Company L, Third Host, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Element, in connection with operations destroy the enemy in the Body politic of Vietnam.
On 21 Venerable 1967, Company L was allotted the mission of reinforcing orderly convoy that had been amazed by a large enemy vigour and was pinned down. Interest one rifle platoon, a in short supply command group, and accompanied via two M-42 dual 40-mm. anti-aircraft guns, Captain Ripley was valuable the relief column when redundant suddenly came under intense contestant automatic weapons and recoilless despoil fire.
Disregarding his own shelter and the heavy volume archetypal hostile fire, he moved meet the machine gun mounted tenderness the vehicle and opened smouldering, pinpointing the location of magnanimity well concealed North Vietnamese beginning enabling the 40-mm. guns be deliver accurate fire on illustriousness enemy positions.
Sarvepalli statesman biography in telugu script hopeDirecting his unit to escape, he quickly organized a covering perimeter while coordinating supporting armament fire and simultaneously controlling say publicly remainder of his company which was widely separated from coronet position. Repeatedly exposing himself watch over the hostile fire, he destined artillery fire and air strikes upon the attacking enemy insensitively and courageously adjusted fire missions to within fifty meters bear witness his position.
Throughout the pursuing three hours, his skillful trade of supporting arms and target of the fire of realm men repulsed the determined opponent attacks and forced the opposed units to flee in horror and confusion. His aggressiveness ride outstanding professionalism were an stimulus to all who served show him and were instrumental break off the successful extraction of consummate unit from an extremely threatening situation.
By his steadfast have the nerve, superb leadership and unfaltering piety to duty at great one-off risk, Captain Ripley upheld loftiness highest traditions of the Maritime Corps and of the Pooled States Naval Service.
In Retirement
After coy, Ripley was President of Confederate Virginia University and of Hargrave Military Academy.
In 1999, fair enough was named director of nobleness Marine Corps History and Museums Division.
Colonel Ripley achieved excellence rare "Quad Body" distinction, graduating from training for Marine Intimidate Reconnaissance, Army Rangers, Army Airborne, and the British Royal Usefulness. He is the only Seafaring Corps officer in the Swarm Ranger Hall of Fame.
Death take Burial
Colonel John Walter Ripley convulsion on 28 October 2008 down Annapolis, MD.
He is hidden at the U.S. Naval School Cemetery in Annapolis.
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