Who is Specialist 4 Richard J. Ford III from Bloods: An Oral History of the Vietnam War by Black Veterans and what is their importance?

Richard is drafted directly from high school. He has bad knees that the doctors say will keep him from being placed on the front lines. However, Richard's medical records are conveniently lost and he is made infantry. Richard joins a Special Forces unit with five or six other black guys who all think they are tough. Richard learns that the white soldiers in Special Forces are stationed at the rear and do not carry weapons. His unit is always sent into the field and on search and destroy missions. There is no racism in his unit because they all have to trust one another. They do not have time to discuss who is a member of the Klan and who is not.