DOB/DOD: May 4, 1940 (Cleveland, OH) –
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Ellen Hausler (1958-2007)
LOCAL ADDRESS: 5 Swale Road, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: February 27, 1967
SERVICE NUMBER: O-5013594
DISCHARGE: June 23, 1969
UNIT: COMUSMACV Advisory Team 2
FAMILY: Born to Richard C. (1905-1996) and Claudia Nesmith McGonigal (1910-1981). One brother, Laurence C. (1945-). One sister, Marjorie McGonigal (1952-).
DECORATIONS: Recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with two Overseas Service Bars
OTHER: Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart #L40900.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Incident details for the award of the Purple Heart Medal: An NVA unit attacked COMUSMACV Advisory Team 2, headquarters compound in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, at 2:00 a.m. on November 17, 1968. A group was moving to bunkers when some were hit by mortar rounds, including Captain McGonigal. He made it to the bunker, where two doctors with magnetic strobes were able to extract most of the shrapnel.
Citation to accompany the award of the Bronze Star Medal
To all who shall these presents, greeting: this is to certify that the President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order, 24 August 1962, has awarded THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL to Captain Richard M. McGonigal, 05013594, Adjutant General’s Corps, United States Army for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1968 to June 1969. Given under my hand in the City of Washington this 1st day of June 1969.
Creighton W. Abrams Stanley R. Rosor
General, United States Army Secretary of the Army
END
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 