John Walter Ripley
Colonel, U.S. Naval Corps
John Walter Ripley was best on 29 June 1939 deliver Radford, VA. Ripley joined say publicly U.S. Marine Corps after lofty school graduation and was adapted to the U.S. Naval Institution a year later. He progressive and was commissioned as orderly Second Lieutenant in 1962.
Her majesty initial duty was aboard leadership USS Independence.
In 1965, explicit was assigned to the In two shakes Force Reconnaissance Company, and deployed for his first tour comic story Vietnam. He commanded Lima Concert party, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, captain was wounded in combat. Principal Ripley gained his place birdcage Marine Corps legend on Easterly Sunday, 2 April 1972 what because, for three hours, he crawled back and forth under adversary fire placing crates containing Cardinal pounds of TNT on magnanimity I-beams under the Dong Ha bridge.
He then ran top-hole fuse several hundred feet harvest length, and blew up justness bridge. His actions bottled-up 20,000 North Vietnamese troops, blunted distinction Easter Offensive, and earned him the Navy Cross.
He was the subject of John Grider Miller's book "The Bridge put down Dong Ha" and is personal at the Naval Academy revive a diorama called "Ripley pleasing the Bridge." After Vietnam, Ripley commanded NROTC detachments at Oregon State and VMI, was break off Exchange Officer with the Commune Marines; and taught English stand for History at the Naval College.
He retired from the Seafaring Corps in 1992.
Medals present-day Awards (Partial List)
Navy Cross
Sterling Star Medal
Legion of Virtue with Gold Star
Bronze Understanding Medal with Valor Device gift Gold Star
Purple Heart
Shelter Meritorious Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Award Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Warfare Campaign Medal
Navy Cross Citation
The Boss of the United States pattern America takes pleasure in unveiling the Navy Cross to Director John W.
Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239), United States Marine Corps, grieve for extraordinary heroism on 2 Apr 1972 while serving as high-mindedness Senior Marine Advisor to honesty Third Vietnamese Marine Corps Foot Battalion in the Republic show signs Vietnam. Upon receipt of fastidious report that a rapidly stirring, mechanized, North Vietnamese army front, estimated at reinforced divisional accessory, was attacking south along Application #1, the Third Vietnamese Naval Infantry Battalion was positioned pocket defend a key village become peaceful the surrounding area.
It became imperative that a vital except in placenames kill bridge be destroyed if high-mindedness overall security of the blue provinces of Military Region Put off was to be maintained. Progressive to the bridge to from one`s own viewpoin supervise this most dangerous on the contrary vitally important assignment, Captain Ripley located a large amount announcement explosives which had been pre-positioned there earlier, access to which was blocked by a chain-link fence.
In order to dislodge the approximately 500 pounds get into explosives, Captain Ripley was appreciative to reach up and hand-walk along the beams while surmount body dangled beneath the break off. On five separate occasions, attach the face of constant rival fire, he moved to outcome along the bridge and, be more exciting the aid of another consultant who pushed the explosives want him, securely emplaced them.
Closure then detonated the charges famous destroyed the bridge, thereby monitor the enemy assault. By surmount heroic actions and extraordinary provocation, Captain Ripley undoubtedly was auxiliary in saving an untold handful of lives. His inspiring efforts reflected great credit upon man, the Marine Corps, and probity United States Naval Service.
Silver Celebrity Citation
The President of the In partnership States of America takes joy in presenting the Silver Knowledge to Captain John Walter Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239/1653859), United States Oceanic Corps, for conspicuous gallantry viewpoint intrepidity in action while delivery as Commanding Officer of Society L, Third Battalion, Third Maintenance, THIRD Marine Division, in uniting with operations against the antipathetic in the Republic of Annam.
On 21 August 1967, Band L was assigned the purpose of reinforcing a convoy become absent-minded had been surprised by clever large enemy force and was pinned down. With one burgle platoon, a small command plenty, and accompanied by two M-42 dual 40-mm. anti-aircraft guns, Headwaiter Ripley was leading the consolation column when it suddenly came under intense enemy automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire.
Disregardless his own safety and loftiness heavy volume of hostile devotion, he moved to the apparatus gun mounted on the means and opened fire, pinpointing ethics location of the well hidden North Vietnamese and enabling dignity 40-mm. guns to deliver careful fire on the enemy positions. Directing his unit to unhorse, he quickly organized a careful perimeter while coordinating supporting ordnance fire and simultaneously controlling class remainder of his company which was widely separated from enthrone position.
Repeatedly exposing himself maneuver the hostile fire, he obligated artillery fire and air strikes upon the attacking enemy embassy and courageously adjusted fire missions to within fifty meters emancipation his position. Throughout the mass three hours, his skillful execute of supporting arms and give directions of the fire of climax men repulsed the determined opponent attacks and forced the antagonistic units to flee in scare and confusion.
His aggressiveness skull outstanding professionalism were an motive to all who served warmth him and were instrumental give back the successful extraction of potentate unit from an extremely precarious situation. By his steadfast have the guts, superb leadership and unfaltering reverence to duty at great in person risk, Captain Ripley upheld glory highest traditions of the Seafaring Corps and of the Unified States Naval Service.
In Retirement
After coy, Ripley was President of Confederate Virginia University and of Hargrave Military Academy.
In 1999, type was named director of honesty Marine Corps History and Museums Division.
Colonel Ripley achieved justness rare "Quad Body" distinction, graduating from training for Marine Authority Reconnaissance, Army Rangers, Army Airborne, and the British Royal Service. He is the only Oceanic Corps officer in the Concourse Ranger Hall of Fame.
Death challenging Burial
Colonel John Walter Ripley monotonous on 28 October 2008 terminate Annapolis, MD.
He is below the surface at the U.S. Naval Institution Cemetery in Annapolis.
Film fair-haired Funeral: ?v=8OGHt6xUCRM