The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard K. Ferrill (ASN: 20119457), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a Bomber in the TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on 23 January 1943. After making a crash landing in the sea one-half mile from shore, Sergeant Ferrill displayed great courage and skill in saving the life of the co-pilot, whose life preserve had been made useless by enemy flak. At great personal risk and danger, Sergeant Ferrill brought the co-pilot ashore. The next day he assisted in carrying the co-pilot on a stretcher over 15 miles of mountainous terrain to a Red Cross field station. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Ferrill, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.