He married Evelyn Joan Radius on October 10, 1944, honeymooned at Starved Rock, IL. Dick, an Army Lieutenant, was shipped out to Okinawa 3 days later.
He lived on several Army bases across the country including Ft. Benning, GA and Ft. Hood, TX.
Their daughter Darlene was born and a month later, Dick shipped out for a 4 year tour of duty to the front lines of Korea as a First Lieutenant, returning as a Captain with a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster and was company commanding officer.
Evelyn and Dick became members of the Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Roseland where they were active leaders of the Young Couples Club, he a Deacon and Elder.
Dick and Ev opened an IGA supermarket on 89th and California in Evergreen Park, IL.
On December 22, 1964, Dick died unexpectedly at age 41 from complications of malaria, which he contracted while in the service for the Philippine liberation.
********************************************************************
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard A. Koldenhoven, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea, on 17 May 1951. On the night of 17 May 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven's company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy.
He lived on several Army bases across the country including Ft. Benning, GA and Ft. Hood, TX.
Their daughter Darlene was born and a month later, Dick shipped out for a 4 year tour of duty to the front lines of Korea as a First Lieutenant, returning as a Captain with a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster and was company commanding officer.
Evelyn and Dick became members of the Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Roseland where they were active leaders of the Young Couples Club, he a Deacon and Elder.
Dick and Ev opened an IGA supermarket on 89th and California in Evergreen Park, IL.
On December 22, 1964, Dick died unexpectedly at age 41 from complications of malaria, which he contracted while in the service for the Philippine liberation.
********************************************************************
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard A. Koldenhoven, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea, on 17 May 1951. On the night of 17 May 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven's company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy.
He married Evelyn Joan Radius on October 10, 1944, honeymooned at Starved Rock, IL. Dick, an Army Lieutenant, was shipped out to Okinawa 3 days later.
He lived on several Army bases across the country including Ft. Benning, GA and Ft. Hood, TX.
Their daughter Darlene was born and a month later, Dick shipped out for a 4 year tour of duty to the front lines of Korea as a First Lieutenant, returning as a Captain with a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster and was company commanding officer.
Evelyn and Dick became members of the Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Roseland where they were active leaders of the Young Couples Club, he a Deacon and Elder.
Dick and Ev opened an IGA supermarket on 89th and California in Evergreen Park, IL.
On December 22, 1964, Dick died unexpectedly at age 41 from complications of malaria, which he contracted while in the service for the Philippine liberation.
********************************************************************
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard A. Koldenhoven, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea, on 17 May 1951. On the night of 17 May 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven's company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy.
He lived on several Army bases across the country including Ft. Benning, GA and Ft. Hood, TX.
Their daughter Darlene was born and a month later, Dick shipped out for a 4 year tour of duty to the front lines of Korea as a First Lieutenant, returning as a Captain with a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster and was company commanding officer.
Evelyn and Dick became members of the Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Roseland where they were active leaders of the Young Couples Club, he a Deacon and Elder.
Dick and Ev opened an IGA supermarket on 89th and California in Evergreen Park, IL.
On December 22, 1964, Dick died unexpectedly at age 41 from complications of malaria, which he contracted while in the service for the Philippine liberation.
********************************************************************
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard A. Koldenhoven, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koldenhoven distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Saoring-chi, Korea, on 17 May 1951. On the night of 17 May 1951, the enemy launched a desperate offensive against friendly positions. Lieutenant Koldenhoven's company was well out in front of the main line of resistance where it bore the brunt of many fanatical attacks. Later, when the numerically superior enemy cut off segments of his company, which he was leading to a predetermined position, Lieutenant Koldenhoven, realizing that only the most drastic action could check the hostile advance and save his greatly outnumbered company from annihilation, unhesitatingly called for artillery fire to be brought on his own position. He then ordered the two platoons that were with him to withdraw to an assembly area while he proceeded through the artillery barrage to reach the remainder of his beleaguered company. Heedless of the murderous fire sweeping the entire area, he calmly rallied his scattered men and withdrew them from the trap. After reorganizing his company, in a display of dauntless courage and inspirational leadership, he again led his men against the enemy, personally deploying his platoons and squads and encouraging his men to hold their positions. His gallant and determined efforts in the face of tremendous odds prevented the enemy hordes from encircling and annihilating the entire battalion and enabled the friendly troops to recover from the fierce hostile onslaughts and repulse the enemy.
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