By Sgt. Chase Murray, 1st Infantry Division

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Recent Medal of Honor recipient Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Terry P. Richardson traveled to the home of the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS, to attend the unveiling of the installation’s new Hall of Heroes in the historic Grimes Hall, participating as an honored guest speaker. As a Vietnam War veteran of the Big Red One Division, Richardson is in a unique position to share his wisdom on the courage of heroes and the sacrifice of the Gold Star and surviving Families. Gold Star Families symbolize the ultimate sacrifice of an immediate family member who died in the line of duty. The Hall of Heroes, which opened its doors during an unveiling ceremony on March 31, 2026, honors the fallen and offers a place of healing for those affected families.

“I lost a cousin in Vietnam, and I lost some really good friends of mine,” Richardson said. When he visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find their names on the wall, he has a moment of reflection with the ones he lost.

On September 14, 1968, then-Staff Sgt. Terry P. Richardson’s platoon was tasked with securing Hill 222 near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. They came under heavy machine gun fire from an enemy ambush that resulted in three soldiers being wounded. Richardson, knowing his unit was surrounded, called in direct tactical air strikes for several hours while sustaining injuries from sniper fire. These actions resulted in 85 Soldiers’ lives being saved and the successful completion of his unit’s mission. Richardson was presented with the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War on March 2, 2026.

As part of an 18-month plan, the Hall of Heroes commemorates the loss felt by military families and the community, memorializing the fallen soldiers throughout the 1st Infantry Division’s history to ensure their legacies live on. For Richardson, it was an honor to be able to give that recognition to the Gold Star and surviving Family members in attendance of the ceremony.

“The Hall of Heroes provides a place for families to come together and honor the life in service and the sacrifices of their military members,” said Richardson. “As well as to acknowledge the Family’s loss and also the sacrifice they’ve paid.”

Surviving Families benefit from the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program, a critical resource that Fort Riley provides to support the families, providing long-term care, resources, and a steady connection to the Army community. Grimes Hall houses both the Hall of Heroes and SOS program open to Families, service members and the broader community from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“The Big Red One is always taking care of Soldiers and they’ve always put Soldiers first, so I’m just honored to be part of this,” said Richardson. “I know that they’ll do whatever it takes to take care of Soldiers and the Soldiers’ Families.”

Despite the grief of loss and the harrowing circumstances under which Richardson came to receive his Medal of Honor, he still feels an immense sense of honor in having served and continues to advocate for Soldiers. After his distinguished service in Vietnam, Richardson went on to join the Michigan National Guard where he eventually became the post command sergeant major of the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. He retired on Jan. 31, 2008, but continued to serve the military community by volunteering to assist disabled veterans.

“It’s the military that has allowed us to have the freedoms and liberties we possess today,” said Richardson. “The 1st Infantry Division’s motto has always been no mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great. Duty first. We can honor military members in the past who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”