[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1207-E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RICHARD S. AGNEW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2004

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the stories of our veterans 
should be preserved for future generations. These accounts will serve 
as a valuable record of the price of freedom.
  Richard S. (``Dick'') Agnew, of Plano, Texas is a shining example of 
the American veteran. He's dedicated fifty-seven years of patriotic 
service to our nation and his fellow veterans . . . all without much 
fanfare or tribute.
  Well, today that's about to change as the country and the Congress 
say, `Thank you.'
  In 1947, Mr. Agnew enlisted in the U.S. Army and served proudly with 
Airborne Infantry units. He rose through the ranks and was commissioned 
through Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant in 1952. He 
served in combat in Korea with the 40th Infantry Division in what was 
dubbed the bloody Heartbreak Ridge sector.
  On the night of July 19, 1953, Lieutenant Agnew engaged in hand-to-
hand combat with enemy soldiers deep behind enemy lines. For his 
extraordinary heroism in that engagement, he was awarded the U.S. 
Army's Distinguished Service Cross, our nation's second highest award 
for valor, and the Purple Heart medal for the wounds he sustained in 
that life-and-death struggle. Dick Agnew endured what people today only 
watch in movies.
  Promoted to Captain while on active duty, Agnew later attained the 
rank of Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. After he left active duty, Mr. 
Agnew attended Suffolk University in Boston, MA, from 1961-1964. He 
graduated Cum Laude in the top 3% of his class with a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Business Administration. A successful career in 
business ended with his retirement in 1996.
  Mr. Agnew has devoted his life to promoting patriotism and improving 
the quality of life of his fellow veterans. He is the North Texas 
Commander of the Legion of Valor, a national organization chartered by 
Congress, whose members were awarded the Medal of Honor; also the 
Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross.
  It is a tremendous honor to recognize an unsung hero like Dick Agnew. 
You know, there was an inscription on the wall where I was held captive 
as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam--and I think it sums up Dick Agnew's 
experience. It read--Freedom has a taste to those who fight and almost 
die for it that the protected will never know. Dick Agnew knows about 
freedom. Dick Agnew loves that freedom. And Dick Agnew loves America.
  God bless him and God bless America.
  I'd like to insert his medal citation into the Congressional Record.

                AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE CROSS

       By direction of the President, under the provisions of the 
     Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (WD Bul 43, 1913), and 
     pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Distinguished-Service 
     Cross for extraordinary heroism in action is awarded in the 
     name of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, to:
       First Lieutenant RICHARD S. AGNEW, 01925377, Infantry, 
     United States Army. Lieutenant AGNEW, a member of an infantry 
     company, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in 
     action against the enemy in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, 
     Korea. On the night of 19 July 1953, Lieutenant AGNEW, was 
     serving as the leader of a combat patrol operating far ahead 
     of the United Nations main line of resistance when he and the 
     assistant patrol leader fell from a cliff. Although his ankle 
     was painfully injured and he was in enemy territory, 
     Lieutenant AGNEW ordered the patrol to return to friendly 
     lines and establish plans to rejoin allied forces the 
     following evening. The following night, Lieutenant AGNEW and 
     his comrade scaled the cliff and proceeded toward United 
     Nations territory. When challenged by an enemy soldier, 
     Lieutenant AGNEW fearlessly hurled a hand grenade. He was 
     wounded and separated from his companion when the enemy 
     retaliated with a hail of small arms and grenade fire. 
     Confronted by an enemy soldier armed with a knife, Lieutenant 
     AGNEW ignored his weakened condition, engaged him in hand to 
     hand combat and killed him with his own weapon. Hearing other 
     enemy forces advancing, Lieutenant AGNEW then pulled the pin 
     on his remaining hand grenade and tied it to his hand before 
     falling to the ground in exhaustion. He was later found in a 
     semi-conscious condition by a United Nations patrol. The 
     extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant

[[Page E1208]]

     AGNEW on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and 
     is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military 
     service. Entered the Federal service from Massachusetts.

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