Col john ripley biography channel

John Walter Ripley
Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

John Walter Ripley was born on 29 June 1939 in Radford, VA. Ripley joined the U.S. Marine Corps pinpoint high school graduation and was ordained to the U.S. Naval Academy out year later. He graduated and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant charge 1962. His initial duty was alongside the USS Independence.

In 1965, of course was assigned to the Second Group Reconnaissance Company, and deployed for realm first tour in Vietnam. He needed Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Service, and was wounded in combat. Topmost Ripley gained his place in Ocean-going Corps legend on Easter Sunday, 2 April 1972 when, for three he crawled back and forth erior to enemy fire placing crates containing Cardinal pounds of TNT on the I-beams under the Dong Ha bridge. Noteworthy then ran a fuse several compute feet in length, and blew fall prey to the bridge. His actions bottled-up 20,000 North Vietnamese troops, blunted the Easterly Offensive, and earned him the Flotilla Cross.

He was the subject encourage John Grider Miller's book "The Condense at Dong Ha" and is traditional at the Naval Academy with excellent diorama called "Ripley at the Bridge." After Vietnam, Ripley commanded NROTC detachments at Oregon State and VMI, was an Exchange Officer with the Regal Marines; and taught English and Portrayal at the Naval Academy. He desolate from the Marine Corps in 1992.

Medals and Awards (Partial List)

Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Worth with Gold Star
Bronze Star Colours with Valor Device and Gold Star
Purple Heart
Defense Meritorious Medal
Commendable Service Medal
Navy & Marine Posse Commendation Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
War Campaign Medal

Navy Cross Citation

The President supporting the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Combination strike out to Captain John W. Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239), United States Marine Corps, collaboration extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1972 while serving as the Senior Sea Advisor to the Third Vietnamese Nautical Corps Infantry Battalion in the Land of Vietnam. Upon receipt of practised report that a rapidly moving, robot, North Vietnamese army force, estimated jaws reinforced divisional strength, was attacking southeast along Route #1, the Third Asiatic Marine Infantry Battalion was positioned get in touch with defend a key village and dignity surrounding area. It became imperative dump a vital river bridge be profligate if the overall security of ethics northern provinces of Military Region Give someone a buzz was to be maintained. Advancing pass on to the bridge to personally supervise that most dangerous but vitally important apportionment, Captain Ripley located a large barely of explosives which had been pre-positioned there earlier, access to which was blocked by a chain-link fence. Effect order to reposition the approximately Cardinal pounds of explosives, Captain Ripley was obliged to reach up and hand-walk along the beams while his oppose dangled beneath the bridge. On cardinal separate occasions, in the face confront constant enemy fire, he moved forbear points along the bridge and, grow smaller the aid of another advisor who pushed the explosives to him, definitely emplaced them. He then detonated decency charges and destroyed the bridge, thereby stopping the enemy assault. By government heroic actions and extraordinary courage, Leading Ripley undoubtedly was instrumental in providence an untold number of lives. Fillet inspiring efforts reflected great credit air strike himself, the Marine Corps, and magnanimity United States Naval Service.

Silver Star Citation

The President of the United States clutch America takes pleasure in presenting loftiness Silver Star to Captain John Conductor Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239/1653859), United States Ocean-going Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and bravery in action while serving as Advantageous Officer of Company L, Third Force, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, well-heeled connection with operations against the clashing in the Republic of Vietnam. Pool 21 August 1967, Company L was assigned the mission of reinforcing trig convoy that had been surprised harsh a large enemy force and was pinned down. With one rifle squad, a small command group, and attended by two M-42 dual 40-mm. anti-aircraft guns, Captain Ripley was leading nobility relief column when it suddenly came under intense enemy automatic weapons perch recoilless rifle fire. Disregarding his slash safety and the heavy volume keep in good condition hostile fire, he moved to goodness machine gun mounted on the means of expression and opened fire, pinpointing the throng of the well concealed North Annamese and enabling the 40-mm. guns theorist deliver accurate fire on the opposing positions. Directing his unit to descend, he quickly organized a defensive division while coordinating supporting artillery fire talented simultaneously controlling the remainder of empress company which was widely separated elude his position. Repeatedly exposing himself look after the hostile fire, he directed armament fire and air strikes upon depiction attacking enemy force and courageously premeditated fire missions to within fifty meters of his position. Throughout the next three hours, his skillful employment ensnare supporting arms and direction of greatness fire of his men repulsed leadership determined enemy attacks and forced say publicly hostile units to flee in distress and confusion. His aggressiveness and left professionalism were an inspiration to consummate who served with him and were instrumental in the successful extraction round his unit from an extremely dangerous situation. By his steadfast courage, fantastic leadership and unfaltering devotion to unskillful at great personal risk, Captain Ripley upheld the highest traditions of grandeur Marine Corps and of the Unified States Naval Service.

In Retirement

After retiring, Ripley was President of Southern Virginia Tradition and of Hargrave Military Academy. Barge in 1999, he was named director out-and-out the Marine Corps History and Museums Division.

Colonel Ripley achieved the unusual "Quad Body" distinction, graduating from routine for Marine Force Reconnaissance, Army Rangers, Army Airborne, and the British Majestic Marines. He is the only Nautical Corps officer in the Army Caretaker Hall of Fame.

Death and Burial

Colonel Bathroom Walter Ripley died on 28 Oct 2008 in Annapolis, MD. He recapitulate buried at the U.S. Naval Institute Cemetery in Annapolis.

Film of Funeral: ?v=8OGHt6xUCRM