The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard D. Humphreys (MCSN: 0-45542), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company D, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 1 March 1951. When his platoon was subjected to devastating automatic weapons and small arms fire, and was temporarily unable to advance during a company attack against a strongly defended enemy hill position, First Lieutenant Humphreys courageously crawled forward through the withering fire to extremely close range of the enemy emplacements. Accurately throwing hand grenades into the positions, he succeeded in killing several of the enemy and in demoralizing the remainder of the hostile troops, permitting his platoon to advance and secure the objective. By his aggressive leadership, outstanding bravery and unswerving devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Humphreys contributed materially to the success achieved by his company and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.