SILVER STAR

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

CORPORAL BENJAMIN RICHARDSON

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

          For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 May 1967. While participating in Operation UNION II, Company L was given the mission of securing a landing zone near Cam La for the remainder of the battalion. As they left the helicopters, they came under an intense barrage of automatic weapons and mortar fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese soldiers. With too little cover available, the company began to suffer heavy casualties from the intensity of the enemy fire. Corporal Richardson, realizing the urgent need to evacuate the wounded from the beaten zone, dashed across the open, fire-swept paddy field and returned with an injured Marine on his back. Completely disregarding his own safety, he made three more trips, each time returning with a wounded Marine. On his fourth trip, he was hit and mortally wounded before he could reach the security of the evacuation point. By his exceptional courage and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Richardson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

For the President,

PAUL R. IGNATIUS

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY