Colonel Wall's presentation will cover:
America's Secret War in South East Asia 1964-1972
An Overview of the Beginnings of US Joint Unconventional Warfare Operations
The Lost Lessons Learned that Resulted in the failed attempt to rescue the Iranian hostages.
A Brief Biography
COLONEL RICHARD W. WALL, US ARMY RETIRED
Colonel Wall was born in Washington DC, the son of a Navy man. He enlisted in the Army in 1956 at
the age of sixteen and retired in July of 1991. He graduated as a Staff Sergeant from Infantry
Officers Candidate School in 1960. His extensive education includes:
- University of Nebraska at Omaha, Bachelor Degree of General Education
- Hardin-Simmons University, Master of Arts in United States History
- Army Command and General Staff College
- Army War College
- NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy
Colonel Wall was an Airborne Ranger Special Forces officer with three Vietnam tours.
He led Special Forces units in combat in Southeast Asia and the Dominican Republic as
well as commanded a forward operating base in Vietnam that conducted classified operations
in Laos. His staff assignments include:
- Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Army General Staff
- Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief United States Army Europe
- Chief of Operations United States Army Europe
Instructor assignments included the Army War College, the NATO Defense College, University of
Maryland, and the United States Military Academy. Statistics include:
- Over 400 parachute jumps
- Was awarded the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs
- Master Parachute and Air Assault Badges
- Vietnamese, German, Iranian, and Belgium parachute wings.
Colonel Wall's awards include:
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf clusters
- Purple Heart
- Air Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service and Army Commendation Medals
- Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry.
The Colonel and his wife currently reside in Lakewood, WA.
