Summary
Richard A. Kidd (born June 24, 1943) is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the ninth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 2, 1991, and served until his term expired in June 1995.
Richard A. Kidd | |
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| Born | June 24, 1943 Morehead, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1995 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major of the Army |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal Army Commendation Medal (2) |
Military career edit
Kidd's assignments include two combat tours in Vietnam (1966–67 and 1970–71) and multiple tours in South Korea, including first sergeant of B Company 1/32nd Infantry Regiment, Camp Howze, South Korea and Europe. Before becoming the Sergeant Major of the Army, he was command sergeant major (CSM) of I Corps and Fort Lewis, Washington. Among his other assignments, he has been command sergeant major for numerous organizations. These included CSM of the 9th Aviation Battalion; 2d Battalion 2d Infantry; Commandant, 1st Armored Division, NCO Academy, Katterbach, Germany. He returned to Fort Lewis after his tour in Germany and served consecutively as CSM of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment; 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division (Motorized); and 9th Infantry Division (Motorized).
Awards and decorations edit
 Combat Infantryman Badge
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 Master Parachutist Badge
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 Special Forces Tab
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 Army Staff Identification Badge
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 Expert Marksmanship Badge
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 23rd Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
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Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Defense Superior Service Medal |
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Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster |
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Bronze Star Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters |
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Air Medal |
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Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Meritorious Unit Commendation |
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Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award |
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Army Good Conduct Medal with 1 gold Good Conduct Loops |
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National Defense Service Medal with service star |
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Vietnam Service Medal with four campaign stars |
 
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NCO Professional Development with award numeral 4 |
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Army Service Ribbon |
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Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 4 |
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star |
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Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
- 11 Service stripes.
Since military retirement, Kidd continues to serve the military community and has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, the 2005 Sergeant Major of the Army William G. Bainbridge Medal and in 2006 he received the Doughboy Award for his outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry.
Retirement edit
In 2007, Kidd was vice president, GEICO Field Representative Sales Management/Military Department. In 2010 Kidd retired from GEICO and lives in Colorado
References edit
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army- The Sergeants Major of the Army, Daniel K. Elder, Center of Military History, United States Army Washington, D.C. 2003.
