The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Robert L. Richards (ASN: 35622103), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the ***, France, 29 September 1944. When an en-trucked platoon of Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, proceed along a road in the ****, it was ambushed by enemy armed with automatic weapons and small arms. The platoon leader in the leading vehicle was wounded, whereupon Sergeant Richards, at the time a squad leader, assisted by the platoon sergeant, ordered the men to leave the vehicles and form a skirmish line to return the enemy fire. Four men were wounded while leaving the trucks. As the intensity of the enemy fire increased, Sergeant Richard gallantly remained to cover the withdrawal, his men succeeded in evacuating three of the wounded men and moving to safety. Sergeant Richards’ gallant actions are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.