The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Don D. Richter, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a tank commander with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Company H was serving as a reaction force when it received word that contact had been made between a friendly platoon and a North Vietnamese Army Force. Sergeant Richter quickly moved to the contact area without waiting for the other vehicles to follow. With complete disregard for his own safety he maneuvered his vehicle between the beleaguered friendly platoon and the enemy forces. Ignoring the intense enemy fire, Sergeant Richter laid down a heavy volume of suppressive fire with his machine gun and was instrumental in destroying several enemy positions. Seeing that another friendly force was also under intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire, Sergeant Richter immediately maneuvered his tank toward the contact zone and engaged the enemy with high explosive rounds. While assaulting the determined foe Sergeant Richter was seriously wounded when he was struck three times by small arms fire. Despite the extremely painful wounds, he continued to engage the enemy positions until loss of blood forced him to be medically evacuated. Staff Sergeant Richter’s gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.