MAJ RICHARD DENNIS ATOR

RICHARD DENNIS ATOR

Silver Star Citation
Richard Dennis Ator Date of birth: March 10, 1937 Date of death: March 5, 1970 Home of record: Moses Lake Washington Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Richard Dennis Ator (ASN: 0-96563), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Ator distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 5 March 1970 while serving as District Senior Advisor, Don Duong District, Tuyen Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0200 hours, Major Ator's district headquarters was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, and the initial bombardment was of such intensity that he was separated from the rest of his district team. Disregarding the intensity of the attack, Major Ator moved from his secure position to locate the main effort of the enemy to penetrate the defensive position and barbed wire. He was the first to detect the breach of the defensive wire and alone moved to thwart the ground assault, placing himself between the enemy and the remainder of his team. Major Ator, armed with a grenade launcher, placed continuous and effective fire on the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. He continued to fire at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, and then he moved toward the breach in the wire and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He continued his courageous defense using his weapon as a club, and blunted the enemy's main attack until he was mortally wounded. Major Ator's unhesitating action nullified the enemy's attempt to eliminate his district team and was responsible for the light casualties sustained by the team. Major Ator's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army. General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1293 (March 13, 1970) Action Date: March 5, 1970 Service: Army Rank: Major Company: Advisory Team 26 Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Mar 5, 2015

Lillie Kirkpatrick-Volckmann
Wife of SSG Victormeade Kirkpatrick
Honor and Respect for MAJ Richard Ator
Major Richard Ator died while saving the life of SSG Victormeade Kirkpatrick Jr. They were talking and MAJ Ator saw a sniper and said 'Watch our Kirk' and pushed my husband back placing himself in the direct line of fire. My family pays honor and respect to the family of such a great man.
Jan 5, 2010

Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn. com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
MACV Advisors/HQ/Adv Team 26

NOW SLEEP Peace has come. Now you can truly sleep,my son. The muddy field where you were laid Flag-draped, will now be green. Redbud and cherry blossoms can be seen Soon in bloom above your head. Arlington's Eternal Flame Flickers across granite rows To illuminate your name And then beneath it (with lightning's calm) Strikes in black the word VIETNAM On your own stone. Peace has come. Your medals may turn green In time, like your beret But forever there are those who'll say, 'I live because he cared he came!'
Jul 25, 2008

Jim Helmick
fellow vet.
Seattle, Wa., 98146, USA
For you, your family & friends. we didn't, forget about you. Rev: 21, 4&5
Mar 10, 2007

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
�You are Remembered�
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. �He which hath no stomach, to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.� Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless you, for your Sacrifice!!!
Mar 5, 2007

Garnet Jenkins
Grand Junction, Co.
In Remembrance
Remembering, this Young Soldier, on the anniversary, of the day, he Gave his Life, for our country, with a Multitude, of Thanks, for his Courage, Service and Dedication, to our Country and for Freedom. Rest well and know, that you will, NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I'am the sister, of such a young hero, who made the Supreme Sacrifice, in Vietnam, 1967.... "The soldier, above all others, is required to perform, the highest act, of religious teaching--SACRIFICE." General Douglas MacArthur
Mar 5, 2007

David Hegberg
DeKalb, IL., 60115, United States
An alert soldier and leader
Richard (Buck) Ator, was, a very good, commander, in the field. I was, a medic, with the 1/22nd, Infantry, Co., B, while Buck Ator, was, in charge. He never liked, taking, the well used, trails. Lots, of times, we would cut, our way through the jungle, instead, of using the trails. He would always, take, the high terrain and not have us, get caught, in a bad situation in the field. He kept us, allert and while, our sister companies, would, get torn up from time to time, B, Company, would go, unscathed. We eventually, was named, "Escape and Evation, Company B."
Monday, March 21, 2005

Bruce Arneklev
arneklev@msn.com
classmate
3306 N. Shirley
Tacoma, WA 98407 USA
Early Years
Richard "buck" was a beautiful person from an early age. He and I were the only males in our third grade class in Antelope, Montana. After the third grade, he moved with his beautiful sisters and parents to Moses Lake, Washington, where his dad "beef" operated heavy construction machinery for the establishment of Larson, AFB. I didn't see him again until 1959, when he came back to visit his grandmother Pederson, after we had graduated from college. He remained a handsome athletic young man with a sterling reputation.
Saturday, May 28, 2005

Kimberly Kimmel-Ober
kimabmitz@earthlink.net
admirer
Encinitas, California, United States, of America
For MAJ/04, Richard Ator and all those, who knew him and loved him, I just want to say thank you, for your dedication and sacrifice! Please know, that you have, not been forgotten and always will hold a special place, in my heart! It would have been nice, to have known you, as a person and I greatly, appreciate your service! I just wish, you did not have to pay, so, high a price! You forever will, be a hero, in my eyes!
Tuesday, March 19, 2002

Angela Kraft
Although at the time of his death Richard Dennis "Buck" Ator was a MACV, he was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. For more information about the battles that took place during his time of service, to view his name among the other KIA's, or to view his memorial page, please visit www.c22inf.bravepages.com You may also visit www.22ndinfantry.org and www.4thinfantry.org for more information and message boards.
Saturday, January 11, 2003