Effort to posthumously pardon Petaluma war hero Richard Penry shifts to the White House

Vietnam hero Richard Penry’s actions saved his platoon. Now local veterans advocates are trying to clear his name by seeking a pardon from President Biden.

Last summer, members of the Veterans for Foreign Wars Post 1929 in Petaluma began working to clear the felony convictions clouding the legacy of Richard “Butch” Penry, a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.

Now they are turning to President Joe Biden as the effort gains sweeping backing from the North Bay’s elected officials.

When The Press Democrat documented Penry’s exploits in battle, and his later life, in detail in June 2023, advocates believed a pardon would come through Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The governor’s staff expressed support for the pardon application, former U.S. Army Ranger Capt. Andrew LeMarquand, who is leading the effort, told The Press Democrat this week. But Newsom’s staff uncovered federal drug charges in addition to the state convictions against Penry.

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By:  Andrew Graham
Source: The Press Democrat

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