The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Chester C. Richards (MCSN: 1417087), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunner Sergeant of Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 November 1969, while Gunnery Sergeant Richards accompanied the second platoon of Company D during a patrol in the Que Son Mountain area of Quang Nam Province, the Marines were pinned down by an extremely heavy volume of mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from elements of a North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying a well-fortified bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Gunner Sergeant Richards maneuvered through the open area to administer first aid and to direct the evacuation of men wounded by the initial burst of fire. Observing a wounded Marine fall on a steep slope well forward of friendly lines, Gunnery Sergeant Richards unhesitatingly darted across the fire-swept terrain toward his companion, but was momentarily halted by intense machine gun fire. Resuming his advance, he succeeded in reaching the slope and, although now a target for concentrated hostile fire, commenced climbing toward the helpless Marine. As Gunnery Sergeant Richards neared the top of the slope, he was wounded in the face but nonetheless pressed onward until, faced by a hail of enemy fire raking the route before him, was unable to progress farther. By his courage, valiant initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Richards inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.