John W. Ripley

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 2 April 1972 while serving as Senior Marine Advisor to the Third Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam. Based on a report that a large and rapidly moving mechanized North Vietnamese army force was attacking south along Route #1, Third Battalion was positioned to defend the key village of Dong Ha and its surrounding area. It became clear the enemy advance could not be halted unless the bridge over the river at Dong Ha was destroyed. To personally supervise this dangerous and vital mission, Captain Ripley advanced to the bridge where he located 500 pounds of explosives that had been prepositioned there earlier, but access to it was blocked by a chain-link fence. He was forced to climb hand over hand along the steel beams of the bridge to reposition the explosives properly so the bridge could be destroyed. On five separate occasions, both physically exhausted and exposed to continual enemy fire, Captain Ripley completely disregarded his own safety as he moved to key points along the bridge and securely emplaced the explosives. He then detonated the charges and destroyed the bridge, thus thwarting the enemy’s assault. By his bold and audacious actions, extraordinary courage under fire, and complete dedication to duty, Captain Ripley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.