Richard A. Kidd

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Richard A. Kidd
Born June 24, 1943 (1943-06-24) (age 64)
Place of birth Morehead, Kentucky
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 196?-1995
Rank Sergeant Major of the Army
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star
Air Medal
Special Forces Tab

Richard A. Kidd (b. June 24, 1943, Morehead, Kentucky) was the ninth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 2, 1991 and served until his term expired in June of 1995.

His assignments include two combat tours in Vietnam (1966-67 & 1970-71) and multiple tours in Korea and Europe. Before becoming the Sergeant Major of the Army, he was Command Sergeant Major of I Corps & Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Washington. Among his other assignments, he has been Command Sergeant Major for numerous organizations,. These included CSM of the 9th Aviation Battalion; 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry; Commandant, 1st Armored Division, NCO Academy, Katterbach, Germany. He returned to Fort Lewis after his tour in Germany and served consecutively as CSM of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment; 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division (Motorized); and 9th Infantry Division (Motorized).

Sergeant Major Kidd's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star , Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (with silver Good Conduct Loop and three knots), the National Defense Service Medal (with service star), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Vietnam Service Medal (with four campaign stars), the Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon (with award numeral 4, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral 3), the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Badges include the Army Staff Identification Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Weapons Qualification Badge (Expert), and Special Forces Tab.

Since military retirement, Kidd continues to serve the military community and has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, the 2005 Sergeant Major of the Army William G. Bainbridge Medal and in 2006 he received the Doughboy Award for his outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry.

As of 2007, Kidd is Vice President, Geico Field Representative Sales Management/Military Department.

Preceded by
Julius W. Gates
Sergeant Major of the Army
1991—1995
Succeeded by
Gene C. McKinney

This article incorporates text from http://www.army.mil/leaders/leaders/sma/former/kidd.html, a public domain work of the United States Government.