The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard Pillsbury, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon commander with Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 10 November to 10 December 2004. In Fallujah on 10 November, after successfully taking the eastern sector of the Mayor’s complex and evacuating his Platoon Commander, Staff Sergeant Pillsbury found himself thrust into the role of Platoon Commander in what would turn out to be two weeks of intense house-to-house fighting. Leading with great skill, presence of mind, and calm effectiveness, he repeatedly directed his Marines and supporting arms in attacks on many buildings, under heavy enemy fires, and in direct, close combat. On one tragic occasion during a firefight, an errant 500-pound bomb landed 20 meters from his building. Although his platoon suffered three casualties, he calmly orchestrated the evacuation while continuing to fight. On 15 November, approximately 50 meters short of the limit of advance, one of his squads entered a house to clear it. As the squad came under intense small arms and machine gun fire, one of his Marines was killed. Realizing that he could easily lose his entire platoon piece by piece if they continued to enter the house, he utilized the tank main gun to destroy the house and insurgents. He then orchestrated a heroic entry into the house and was able to destroy remaining enemy fighters, and retrieve the body of the fallen Marine. Staff Sergeant Pillsbury’s calmness in the face of impending hardship inspired absolute trust and loyalty from his platoon. By his courageous actions, zealous initiative, and total devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Pillsbury reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.