On 12 May 1972, Staff Sergeant Richard Roland Arsenault was serving with Advisory Team 43, Headquarters, MACV Advisors, South Vietnam.

On that day, SSG Arsenault was serving as the Operations Intelligence Advisor to Regional Force units conducting a combat operation in Duc Hue District, in Hua Nghia Province. While moving out to engage the enemy, SSG Arsenault volunteered to serve as Radio Telephone Operator for the operation, knowing that he was making himself a high priority target for hostile fire. The North Vietnamese Army unit was strongly entrenched and was delivering a heavy volume of concentrated mortar, machine gun, B-40, and small arms fire. SSG Arsenault accompanied the District Senior Advisor in the attack, bringing accurate suppressive fire to bear with his M-16. Remaining well forward so he could provide essential communication, SSG Arsenault was an example of courage under fire for all those around him. During the final assault, eight North Vietnamese Army soldiers flanked the lead friendly element. Attacking them with grenades and his M-16, SSG Arsenault's fire neutralized the eight enemy soldiers and friendly elements were able to take the enemy position with minimal losses. SSG Arsenault's gallantry in action earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 26 May 1972, SSG Arsenault was serving as the Operations/Intelligence advisor on a combat operation with the 12th Regional Force Group in Duc Hue District, in Hau Nghia Province. As the 12th Group moved to link up with a friendly unit, an entrenched company-size enemy force prepared to initiate an ambush. At the last moment, SSG Arsenault sensed the ambush and saw a B-40 rocket being fired. He shouted a warning, knocked another American advisor aside and blocked the B-40 round with his body, deliberately sacrificing his life to save the lives of those around him. His self-sacrifice unquestionably saved the life of the other American advisor and their interpreter and also preserved the 12th Group command element. By saving the command structure from destruction, he made a swift reaction to the ambush possible and prevented it from becoming a disaster. SSG Arsenault's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross

Silver Star Medal

Purple Heart

Army Good Conduct Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Richard Roland Arsenault (ASN: 51480350), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisory Team, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Arsenault distinguished himself on 26 May 1972 while serving as the Operations/Intelligence advisor on a combat operation with the 12th Regional Force Group in Duc Hue District, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam. As the 12th Group moved to link up with a friendly unit, an entrenched company size enemy force prepared to initiate an ambush. At the last moment Sergeant Arsenault sensed the ambush and saw a B-40 rocket being fired. He shouted a warning, knocked another American advisor aside and blocked the B-40 round with his body, deliberately sacrificing his life to save the lives of those around him. His heroic and selfless action unquestionably saved the life of the other American advisor and their interpreter and also preserved the 12th Group command element. By saving the command structure from destruction, he made a swift reaction to the ambush possible and prevented it from becoming a disaster. Staff Sergeant Arsenault's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1633 (July 24, 1972)

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Richard Roland Arsenault, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 12 May 1972, while serving as the Operations Intelligence Advisor to Regional Force units conducting a combat operation in Duc Hue District, Hua Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam.

While moving out to engage the enemy, Sergeant Arsenault volunteered to serve as Radio Telephone Operator for the operation, knowing full well that by doing so he was making himself a high priority target for hostile fire. The North Vietnamese Army unit was strongly entrenched and was delivering a heavy volume of concentrated mortar, machine gun, B-40, and small arms fire.

With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Arsenault accompanied the District Senior Advisor in the van of the attack, bringing accurate suppressive fire to bear with his M-16. Always remaining well forward so that he could provide essential communication, Sergeant Arsenault provided an outstanding example of calm and courage under fire, inspiring all those around him. He never faltered even though the fighting was finally with hand grenades and small arms at less than 30 meters and the radio he bore marked him as a prime target.

During the final assault, eight North Vietnamese Army soldiers flanked the lead friendly element. Staff Sergeant Arsenault attacked them with grenades and his M-16. His deadly fire neutralized the eight North Vietnamese Army and friendly elements took the enemy position with minimal losses.

Staff Sergeant Arsenault's gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1575 (June 17, 1972)