Group to BG Richard A. Risden, CG 4th Infantry Division

Group of 13 medals to Brigadier General Richard A. Risden, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division and holder of 7 awards of the Legion of Merit: Silver Star, slot brooch, unnamed, in a black leatherette case; Legion of Merit, legionnaire, wrap brooch, unnamed, unnumbered , in a black leatherette case; Bronze Star, slot brooch, machine-engraved “R.A.R.”, in a black leatherette case; Army Commendation Medal, crimp-over-slot brooch, machine-engraved “Richard A. Risden”, in a clear plastic case; Purple Heart, slot brooch, unnamed, in a black leatherette case; American Defense Service Medal, slot brooch; American Campaign Medal; Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army Occupation Medal, bar “Japan”; National Defense Service Medal (ribbon dirty); Korea Service Medal (ribbon dirty); Italy War Merit Cross; United Nations Korea Medal. With a Combat Infantryman Badge, marked “Sterling”, clutch-back. With extensive original documentation, including: General Orders for his Silver Start (8 Aug 1952) and several photographs of General Mark W. Clark presenting Risden the Silver Star in Korea (one autographed and inscribed to Risden); General Orders for his Purple Heart (8 Aug 1952); a formal letter of commendation from the Chinese Chief of the General Staff for Risden’s service as the Chief, Army Section, Military Assistance and Advisory Group (1956-1958), with full English translation (in its original embroidered presentation tube); a photograph album with 12 photos of General Risden attending Chinese Army parachute training; a presentation photo album from Lt General Wang Fung-Shu, Commanding IX Corps (17 photos), with an inscription and forwarding letter from General Wang (May 1958); original certificate for the Chinese Army Parachutist Badge (Badge No. 002); and 8×10 photograph of General Risden with Chiang Kai-Shek; a letter from actress Doris Day thanking the 17th Infantry for naming her a “Buffalo Gal”. With photocopied St. Louis records.

Colonel Risden’s Silver Star was awarded for “gallantry in action at Chich’on, North Korea, on 8 August 1952. Colonel Risden accompanied a company ambush patrol while taking part in a raid to take enemy prisoners on Sugar Loaf Hill so as to obtain first hand information on enemy disposition, strength and fortifications. The action was heavy and casualties were numerous throughout the operation. Amidst heavy shelling, Colonel Risden was constantly on the alert spotting enemy positions and fortifications; he personally radioed these reports back to the Battalion Observation post so the enemy positions could be quickly brought under fire. Upon conclusion of the raid Colonel Risden stayed behind to insure that all casualties were removed from the hill. As the patrol withdrew an enemy 122mm mortar shell struck in the middle of the patrol, killing or wounding all of the patrol except Colonel Risden and the radio operator. He directed the radio operator to call for litters and immediately began rendering first aid to the wounded and placed them in crevices to prevent further injury…”

Richard A. Risden was a 1933 West Point graduate. After command assignments with the 65th, 29th and 26th Infantry Regiments, he became the G-1, 2nd Armored Division. After service in the War Department, he joined Headquarters, II Corps, in Italy. In 1951, he took command of the 17th Infantry Regiment in Korea, earning the Silver Star for personally leading a raid into enemy territory to gather intelligence. In 1956, promoted to brigadier general, he headed the Army Section of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan. In 1959, he assumed command of the 4th Infantry Division. He later became the Chief of Plans for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, in Washington, retiring in 1963 as a brigadier general. General Risden died in Florida in 1998 and is buried at the US Military Academy cemetery.

Over the course of his career, General Risden was awarded the Legion of Merit on seven occasions.