Marine Gets
Posthumous
Viet Awards

  The South Vietnamese gov-
ernment recently awarded 
two medals to Marine Capt.
Richard L. Basinger, a Lima
serviceman killed in Vietnam
May 12, 1967.
  A w a r d e d posthumously
were the National Order of
Vietnam, the second highest
award presented by the
Vietnamese government and
corresponding to the United
States Navy Cross, and the
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
with Palm, corresponding to
our Silver Star.
  Marine Capt. Ravens of the
Lima Marine Corps Reserve
made the presentation, as-
sisted by Sgt. Hare, also of
the Lima unit. Receiving the
awards were Mrs. Susie
Ludwig and son Mark Basi-
nger, 1925 Burch, and parents
Mr. and Mrs. Lorain Basi-
nger, Kenton.
  Capt. Basinger was the first
of 46 Marine officers to re-
ceive these medals.  Other
medals awarded to Basinger
include two Purple Hearts, 17
Air Medals, and the Navy
Commendation Medal.  He
flew more than 340 combat
missions.

Lima News 1969