Riayan Augusto Tejeda
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

From 21 March to 11 April 2003, then-Staff Sergeant Riayan Augusto Tejeda was serving as Platoon Sergeant, Second Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During that period, during numerous encounters with the enemy while advancing to Baghdad, SSgt Tejeda aggressively led his Marines. On 3 April, his Company K came under intense small arms fire from entrenched Republican Guard positions outside the city of Al Azziaiyah. Ignoring his own safety, SSgt Tejeda exposed himself to enemy fire and charged into the enemy fortifications, leading his Platoon's assault on enemy positions. SSgt Tejeda single-handedly cleared one position, killing 2 Republican Guard soldiers and then led a fire team to destroy a 2nd enemy position. On 11 April, while conducting a foot mobile combat patrol in the Ur District of Baghdad, his Platoon was ambushed from multiple directions with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Taking charge at the head of the formation, SSgt Tejeda inspired his Marines and directed them to positions to counter the enemy's attack. While bravely leading and fighting beside his Marines, SSgt Tejeda was stuck by enemy fire and mortally wounded. SSgt Tejeda’s bold leadership and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Riayan Augusto Tejeda, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Platoon Sergeant, Second Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM from 21 March to 11 April 2003. During numerous encounters with the enemy while advancing to Baghdad, Staff Sergeant Tejeda aggressively and fearlessly led his Marines. On 3 April 2003, his Company came under intense small arms fire from entrenched Republican Guard positions outside the city of Al Azziaiyah. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Tejeda exposed himself to enemy fire and charged into the enemy fortifications, leading his Platoon's assault on enemy positions. He single-handedly cleared one position, killing two Republican Guard soldiers. He then led a fire team to destroy a second enemy position. On 11 April 2003, while conducting a foot mobile combat patrol in the Ur District of Baghdad, his Platoon was ambushed from multiple directions with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Taking charge at the head of the formation, he inspired his Marines and directed them to positions to counter the enemy's attack. While bravely leading and fighting beside his Marines, he was stuck by enemy fire and mortally wounded. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Staff Sergeant Tejeda reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Riayan Augusto Tejeda is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, NY, in Section R, Site 2827G.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11152932/riayan-augusto-tejeda