THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
POST No. 1929
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
Andrew M. LeMarQuand
1094 Petaluma Blvd South
Petaluma, California, 94952
[email protected]
(707) 494-7282
November 1, 2023
Governor Gavin Newsom Office of the Governor State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Governor Newsom,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to draw your attention to a matter of utmost importance regarding a distinguished Medal of Honor recipient who has encountered legal issues stemming from war trauma related substance abuse. It is my sincere hope that you will consider extending your compassionate support by granting a pardon in this case.
The recipient of the Medal of Honor, Sergeant Richard Allen Penry, United States Army, demonstrated extraordinary courage and valor in the face of adversity during his military service, a fact that cannot be understated. SGT Penry’s selfless service to our nation earned him the highest military honor, and we and the surviving families of the 18 wounded Soldiers that he loaded one at a time onto a jungle extractor in Vietnam while under direct enemy fire are indebted to his sacrifices.
However, the post-service struggles that Richard faced, particularly related to substance abuse, have led to legal issues that have tarnished his reputation and our community’s well-being. It is important to recognize that the transition from military service to civilian is a challenging journey for many Veterans, and some encounter difficulties that warrant understanding and support rather than punitive measures.
Moreover, the systematic lack of access to trusted Mental Health providers and the mistrust of the Mental Health Care System among Veterans is having the same profound effects on returning Veterans that will have significant multi-generational impacts on Veteran Families if left unaddressed. Exacerbating these issues impacting the current generation of Veterans is the reality that current Veterans have spent more time in war than any previous generation of American Veterans. We are known as the Frontline Generation, many of us left for war at age 17-18, spent our entire adult lives at war are now returning to our communities with wives and children that have never lived here. Returning Veterans are reluctant to seek help for war related trauma due to the lingering stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse within the military community. By extending clemency to Medal of Honor Recipient, Sergeant Richard Allen Penry, you have an opportunity to challenge this stigma and demonstrate California's commitment to addressing these needs for Veterans from every California Community.
Governor Newsom, your leadership, and commitment to addressing the needs of Veterans and their families in California have been commendable. I believe that your intervention in this case can serve as an example of our state's dedication to assisting those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust in your wisdom and compassion as you deliberate this important matter.
Very Respectfully,
Andrew Masahesa LeMarQuand
MAJ, U.S. Army (Retired)
Commander, VFW Post 1929
“Rangers Lead the Way!”
September 20, 2023
Governor Gavin Newsom
Office of the Governor
State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Newsom,
I am writing on behalf of the Sonoma County Chapter of Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) in support of the effort to expunge the criminal record of Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Richard Allen Penry, a native of Sonoma County Founded in 1929, the JACL is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American Pacific Islander civil rights organization. The Sonoma County chapter was founded in 1934. Originally created to advocate for Japanese Americans, the organization has evolved to champion civil rights for all groups in America who face injustice.
Too many veterans suffering from war trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the mental health issues associated with it have turned to drugs, often with a spiraling lifestyle downward into homelessness. They have long been a silent, ignored group and this has affected Japanese American veterans as much as any other veteran.
The Sonoma County JACL board voted to support the request to expunge the criminal record of Sergeant Richard Allen Penry. We want to honor him and want his legacy to reflect his heroic actions in combat and not the struggles that happened after the war. We want to help his family to also heal from the war trauma, as Sergeant Penry’s personal battle also became theirs.
Lastly, we stand up for all veterans facing hardships from war trauma and advocate for more support for them. We can honor all veterans who risked their lives in combat by providing more mental health services and making sure they do not ‘fall through the cracks’ as Medal of Honor Sergeant Richard Allen Penry did.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Tajii
President, Sonoma County JACL
515 Petaluma Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
[email protected]
September 18, 2024
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Richard Allen Penry, posthumous pardon request
Dear Governor Newsom,
I am writing to express my strong support for the community initiative led by our local veteran organizations to seek a pardon for Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Richard Allen Penry.
Sergeant Penry, United States Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Nixon in June 1971 for his extraordinary heroism in Binh Tui Province, Vietnam, on January 31, 1971.
During an intense enemy attack involving mortars, rockets, and automatic weapon fire, he displayed remarkable courage by single-handedly halting the assault and evacuating 18 wounded men to safety. He provided first aid, secured a working radio to call for assistance, and defended against 30 attackers throughout the night until help arrived.
Sgt. Penry's valor allowed those 18 men to return home to their families. His selfless service earned him our nation’s highest military honor, and his return from Vietnam was commemorated as “Richard Penry Day” by the Petaluma City Council. In 2001, the City of Petaluma honored him further by renaming Hillcrest Park to Penry Park in tribute to this local hero.
However, Sgt. Penry faced significant challenges upon returning to civilian life. On October 4, he was arrested on drug-related charges, followed by additional charges for parole violations.
The post-war services available to veterans during the Vietnam era were severely lacking, leaving Sgt. Penry to navigate his transition without the necessary support. The journey from military service to civilian life remains difficult for many veterans today, highlighting the ongoing struggle our nation faces in providing adequate resources for those who have served.
Sgt. Penry passed away at the young age of 45, and his legacy should be defined by his honorable service rather than the legal issues he encountered while trying to readjust. Our community is advocating for this pardon not only to honor Sgt. Penry but also to raise awareness about the broader challenges faced by veterans dealing with post-war trauma. A criminal record should not overshadow his heroism or diminish the pride his family and community feel for his sacrifices.
COUNTY OF SONOMA
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
575 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE, RM. 100A
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA 95403
(707) 565-2241
FAX (707) 565-3778
DAVID RABBITT, SUPERVISOR
SECOND DISTRICT
[email protected]
Thank you for your commitment to our veteran community and for considering the struggles of Sgt. Penry. We hope you will join the veteran organizations of Sonoma County, along with other civilians and elected officials, in granting a pardon to our local hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant Richard Allen Penry.
Sincerely,
David A. Rabbitt, Supervisor
County of Sonoma, Second District
September 20, 2024
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street
Sacramento CA. 95814
Re: Pardon of Richard Penry
Dear Governor Newsom:
I write to respectfully request that you issue a posthumous pardon of Sergeant Richard Penry for the nonviolent drug offenses on which he was convicted. Sgt. Penry is a distinguished Medal of Honor recipient who resided in my district.
Like so many returning veterans, Sgt. Penry survived the Vietnam War but with lasting effects, including posttraumatic stress disorder, homelessness and substance abuse. He tragically passed away in 1994 at age 45. Despite these hardships, his legacy should not be overshadowed by his criminal charges.
By pardoning Sgt. Penry, we can fully honor his meritorious valor and recognize the difficult sacrifices made by all of our veterans. This pardon has the potential to positively impact our local community by recognizing the contributions made by Sgt. Penry and serve as a powerful statement of our commitment to supporting veterans after they return home from service.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
State Senator Bill Dodd, 3rd District