The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Richard L. Nightingale (MCSN: 1164230), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 24 – 25 July 1953. Discovering a group of friendly Marines occupying a trench line on a portion of the main line of resistance which was under devastating enemy mortar and artillery fire and vicious hostile attack, Private First Class Nightingale unhesitatingly assumed command of the group and moved through the trench line to place the men in position and direct their fire. Picking up an automatic rifle, he moved to an exposed position in order to observe the enemy and delivered effective fire until his rifle ceased firing, continuing to rout the attackers with hand grenades. Later, upon finding an unmanned machine gun, he braved a murderous hostile mortar and artillery barrage to place the weapon in a position where he could deliver intense fire upon the enemy, thereby preventing them from massing for an attack. Although seriously wounded, he remained in his position throughout the night and the following morning in the face of constant enemy fire and delivered withering return fire upon the hostile troops during repeated enemy attempts to overrun the friendly position. By his aggressive fighting spirit, courageous initiative and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class Nightingale contributed in large measure to the defense of the position and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.