Rider, Richard E. (US Army)

Date of birth:: May 29th, 1914 (Ohio, United States)
Date of death:: February 12th, 2004 (Willoughby Lake County/Ohio, United States)
Service number:: 35500015
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Staff Sergeant
Unit:: Battery A, 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: September 7th, 1944

First Sergeant Richard E. Rider (then Staff Sergeant) (Army Serial No. 35500015) Coast Artillery Corps, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in combat on 13 June 1944, near Baupte, Normandy, while leading a combat patrol of a parachute infantry regiment. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, First Sergeant Rider exposed himself fearlessly to enemy machine guns and cannon fire in order to direct the fire of his antitank guns. When one gun was attacked by five enemy tanks, First Sergeant Rider personally took over from the gunner and directed fire against the approaching enemy. The first tank was destroyed immediately, as were the second and third in rapid succession. The other two tanks retreated to a position in less dangerous territory. First Sergeant Rider followed, placing his gun in a location from where it could deliver destructive fire. From this position he destroyed both remaining tanks and the German crews were destroyed by our infantry. By his fearless attention to the mission he was able to destroy completely the enemy tank threat, and his determination and enthusiasm supported him to pursue and destroy the remaining tanks. His courage and force before the entire patrol were of high standard, and reflect the highest tradition of the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Ohio.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 89