Sgt. Kevin Bromley
3-1 AD PAO
MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq -- The sound of "Taps" and rifle volleys echoed in the cavernous building as Soldiers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division bid farewell to Cpl. William Dean Richardson April 8.
Richardson was killed April 3 while conducting dismounted combat operations along the CiCi Bar Canal, in the north Babil area of Iraq.
He was the point man of a squad tasked to gain intelligence about the enemy in the area of West Said Abdullah near the village of Mulla Fayad.
His patrol was ambushed by terrorists and received heavy fire from automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.
"His squad members will tell you that Dean saw and sensed the attack before it happened," said Lt. Col. Lee Quintas, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment.
Richardson laid down suppressive fire with his M4 Carbine and M203 Grenade Launcher to allow his fellow Soldiers time to seek covered firing positions.
"I am convinced that the fire he provided saved the lives of his squad and saved the Soldiers he loved as brothers," said Quintas.
The volume of enemy fire caused Cpl. Richardson and two other members of the squad to seek a covered firing position in the CiCi Bar Canal.
The steep banks of the concrete canal caused them to lose their footing and slide into the water. As the battle ensued, the three Soldiers were swept away by the strong current.
Sgt. Cory Scott, the squad leader, noticed the Soldiers struggling to stay afloat in the canal. Scott used belts and a radio antenna to retrieve two of his teammates from the murky waters while the patrol was still in contact with the enemy.
The squad consolidated after the battle and a search for Cpl. Richardson was immediately conducted by Scott and his troops.
"His pounding of the enemy with his 203 and M-4 on that day helped to save the lives of all the guys he was out with," said Sgt. Howard Midgely.
At the memorial service, Richardson was remembered as a man who lived the way of the warrior.
"Dean was never a man of many wordsâ?¦but these words he lived by, duty, honor, loyalty, and professionalism," said Quintas
Richardson is sorely missed by the Soldiers of Task Force 2-70 and he is remembered for his physical and mental toughness as well as his sense of humor.
"We not only lost a great Soldier, but an unforgettable friend," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Vallenavedo.
"Cpl. Richardson's actions, helped save the lives of his squad," said Col. David Bishop, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. "He lived the "Warrior Ethos" and valiantly died in the service of his country."
Quintas vowed that Task Force 2-70 would carry on Richardson's fight, saying, "We will move towards the sound of the guns, as we always have."
The way the Soldiers and command team felt about the fallen warrior was best summed up by Quintas when he said, "My thoughts of him always come with a deep feeling of pride for having him as a member of our team."
Richardson, a resident of Moreno, Calif., joined the Army Feb. 26, 2002, and served as an automatic rifleman with 1-41 Infantry. His awards and decorations included the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the parachutist badge.