Richard A. Penry

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Richard Allen Penry (November 18, 1948 – May 9, 1994)[1] was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Born in Petaluma, California, Penry joined the Army from Oakland, California in March 1969, and by January 31, 1970, was serving as a Sergeant in Company C, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade. On that day, in Binh Tuy Province of the Republic of Vietnam, his unit came under an intense enemy attack. After the company commander was wounded, Penry helped organize the defense of the area and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to retrieve supplies and return fire. He was honorably discharged from the Army in March 1971.[2]

File:Richard A. Penry's MOH.JPG
Penry's Medal of Honor and ribbons on display at the Sgt. Richard Penry Medal of Honor Memorial Military Museum in Petaluma, California

In the 1970s, Penry was arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover agent. He was placed on parole in 1974, the judge stated that Penry had "done more for his country in one day than most do in a lifetime." Penry was arrested again in 1976 and put on probation.[3]

Penry suffered from Lupus and died at age 45 of cancer.[3] He was buried in Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. Penry has two namesakes in his hometown: a park that was renamed in his honor, and a small military museum, the Sgt. Richard Penry Medal of Honor Memorial Military Museum, where his Medal of Honor is displayed.

In April, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom pardoned Penry posthumously of state charges.[4] As of April, 2025, Penry still held a federal conviction.[5]

Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Penry's Medal of Honor citation reads:

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File:Cmoh army.jpg
Medal of Honor

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Awards and decorations

File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/altFile:"V" device, brass.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/altFile:Bronze-service-star-3d.svgFile:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
1st row Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star
2nd row Air Medal Army Commendation Medal
with "V" device and 2 Oak leaf clustersScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Army Good Conduct Medal
3rd row National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal
with 2 bronze Campaign starsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Vietnam Campaign Medal
with "60-" claspScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

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Sources

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References

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