A Bronze Star for a fallen comrade
Friends, mates secure award for Indian Hill grad
BY CHRISTINE WOLFFThe Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIAN HILL -- Marine Pvt. Richard Weaver's bravery under fire in protecting his platoon during the Viet Nam War was noted but never rewarded -- until now, 29 years after his death.
The U.S. Marine Corps has approved posthumously awarding the Bronze Star medal with the Combat "V" attached, for valor in battle.
The recognition comes thanks to a push from his high school friends and Marine comrades.
It caps their two-year campaign to commemorate Pvt. Weaver, the only Indian Hill High School graduate killed in the Vietnam conflict. Pvt. Weaver -- a member of the Class of '67 who died May 20, 1968 -- is remembered at the school with a brick monument outside and a display in the lobby, both dedicated May 1996.
"It was the fellows he served with who made this happen. This Bronze Start is a victory for the grunts," said Bill Wiedemann of Loveland, who went to high school with Pvt. Weaver, helped to establish the school memorial and researched the award application.
In the days following the March 31, 1968, Battle at Truoi Bridge Compound near the cities of Da Nang and Phu Bai, Pvt. Weaver's sergeant talked about nominating the 19-year old for an award. But in the confusion of the war, the paper work wasn't completed, Mr. Wiedemann said.
This year, the Marine Corps' Medals and Awards Committee heard testimony from Pvt. Weaver's comrades and his battalion commander and awarded Pvt. Weaver the Bronze in October.
"Armed with a M-60 machine gun, (Pvt. Weaver) unhesitatingly rushed across the compound to engage the enemy, ignoring the hostile rounds impacting around him," reads the award citation signed by Gen. Charles Krulak, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
"With the remainder of the platoon being pinned down by enemy fire, Private First Class Weaver brought devastating fire on the enemy. He . . . continued to fire at the enemy as they concentrated intense small-arms fire and grenades on his position . . . until the breaking of dawn and the enemy withdrawal.
"He undoubtedly saved the lives of many Marines."
The renewed effort to get recognition for Pvt. Weaver began in 1995. That's when Mr. Wiedemann and others thought of erecting a school monument. The group contacted Pvt. Weaver's Marine comrades -- and began hearing stories of his heroism.
Pvt. Weaver's Bronze Star will be accepted in August during the national convention of the First Marine Division Association, to be held in Cincinnati. Pvt. Weaver's parents are deceased; accepting the medal will be James McGinnis of Whitehouse, Tenn., who was Pvt. Weaver's assistant gunner.
Mr. McGinnis will give the medal to the Indian Hill school memorial, Mr. Wiedemann said.
