The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Richard Francis Dunham (MCSN: 2077038), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with the Second Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 March 1967. During Operation PRAIRIE III, in the enemy village of Thon Al Tu, Quang Tri Province, the Second Platoon was providing rear security for the Third Platoon upon the completion of a sweep of the village. Corporal Dunham’s squad was given the mission of providing the rear point for his platoon, to protect it from the automatic weapons and sniper fire that it had been receiving throughout the day. When one of his Marines was wounded, Corporal Dunham quickly ordered a team to evacuate the man, but seeing that this measure exposed too many of his men, he chose to carry the casualty himself across the open rice paddy swept by hostile fire. As the volume of enemy fire increased, Corporal Dunham placed the wounded man in a sheltered position and, skillfully deploying his squad, unhesitatingly exposed himself as he moved among his men to encourage them and to direct their return fire. Finally, seeing a need for more firepower to protect the movement of his unit, he moved to an exposed position well forward of his men, so that he might employ his M-79 against the enemy automatic weapons positions. Disregarding the heavy volume of enemy automatic and small arms fire, he delivered devastating fire on the enemy positions silencing the major one, before being struck down by fire from another enemy position. By his uncompromising adherence to the highest standards of professionalism and leadership, his loyal devotion to duty, and his unselfish sacrifice while in the accomplishment of his mission, Corporal Dunham upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.