Thomas R. Richards was born and raised surrounded by water on Long Island, NY. Richards graduated from Villanova University in 1969 and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps. After his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, Richards received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. After six months of training, Richards graduated BUD/S class 55 in April 1970 and received assignment to SEAL TEAM ONE. Following SEAL Basic Indoctrination (SBI) training and platoon training, Richards deployed to South Vietnam with Zulu Platoon from August 1970 to February 1971. He was wounded January 30th, 1971, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, later upgrade to the Silver Star, and Purple Heart.
Richards led naval special operations forces during Operation Prime Chance and Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf. Richards served in numerous staff and command positions including operations officer NSWG 1; operations officer, SEAL TEAM TWO, executive officer, Underwater Demolition Team Twelve (UDT-12), commanding officer, Special Boat Unit Thirteen; senior U.S. Naval representative at the U.S. Military Group (MILGRU) in El Salvador from 1983 to 1984; commanding officer, SEAL Team ONE from 1986 to 1988; programs officer with the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., and commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Center. From 1996 to 1999, Richards served as the commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Command. He retired from active duty in 1999 after 30 years of service.

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The mission of USA Warrior Stories is to record, archive and share videos of Veteran stories online to help Veterans make a connection with one another and to help us all better understand their sacrifices for our freedom.

00:00 - Opening Titles
00:20 - Navy ROTC
01:03 - UTD - Underwater Demolition
01:47 - SEAL Training
02:48 - Break in mission
03:31 - Ambushed in Vietnam
06:50 - Alive Day - Black Rock, Vietnam 1971
07:57 - "If I thought it hurt when I first got shot"
09:29 - After Vietnam
13:29 - PTS - Post Traumatic Stress