A former marine officer instructor for Oregon State University’s NROTC program is in line to posthumously receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War. On March 3, Congress passed a resolution to recommend John Ripley receive the honor.
Colonel John Ripley '62, USMC (Ret.), originally received the Navy Cross after he single-handedly destroyed a crucial bridge. On April 2, 1972, then-Captain Ripley repeatedly put himself in harm's way to place explosives on the Dong Ha bridge over the Cua Viet River in South Vietnam's Quang Tri province.
To position the approximately 500 pounds of explosives, Ripley had to reach up and hand-walk along the beams while his body dangled beneath the bridge. He arm-walked steel girders five times over five hours to set explosives while under continuous enemy fire. The destruction of the bridge blunted a massive offensive by the North Vietnamese, which had thousands of tanks, troops and artillery advancing toward the bridge.
Tom Ripley said his father, who died in 2008, would have wanted to ensure proper credit to those who supported him, trained him and served alongside him.
“He knew nothing great is ever accomplished by the individual,” Tom Ripley said.
He was also a Silver Star recipient for his actions Aug. 21, 1967 as commanding officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in Vietnam. He later went on to teach at Oregon State in the early 1970s.
While Congress has approved the honor, it still must be approved by the president.
