Bronze Star awarded after 50 years

Sgt. Richard Moyer traveled to Huber Heights to receive a Bronze Star for his service, almost 50 years after his service during the Vietnam War ended.

Moyer served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He was part of an elite unit assigned with penetrating hostile territory in thick jungle terrain to collect intelligence, ambush the enemy and take prisoners.

Moyer lives in Las Vegas, Nevada but his brother, Earl, who arranged the ceremony, lives here in Dayton.

Moyer was honored at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Nebraska Avenue, where a former comrade in arms spoke highly of Moyer’s character.

“When you’re operating with five or six men, and help is 10 minutes away by helicopter, you have to trust your guys. I could always truck Dick,” said Col. Myron Anderson.

Moyer has also received three Purple Hearts with a fourth pending approval.

His latest honor was delayed by administrative oversight.

“Paperwork would get lost back then, and when you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind,” Anderson said.

But Moyer said the Bronze Star means more to him now than it ever could have in his youth.

“I’m blown away by it,” he said. “And I’m surprised by all of the people who have come to honor me. I’m so moved by that — I mean I’m almost speechless.”

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