The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Richard H. Devenney (MCSN: 457557), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Parachute Battalion in action against numerically superior enemy Japanese forces near Koi-ari, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 29 November 1943. When a close enemy shell-burst disorganized his squad and knocked him from the left flank machine gun of which he was in charge, Corporal Devenney immediately returned to his post and, although bleeding and suffering acute pain, courageously resumed control and continued to direct the fire of his gun, refusing to be evacuated until heavy casualties had been inflicted on the enemy and the hostile counterattack had been repulsed. Corporal Devenney’s splendid initiative and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fierce engagement were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.