The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Richard W. Graves (MCSN: 493532), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company D, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 21 and 22 November 1943. With one member of his machine gun squad killed and another seriously wounded while operating in an exposed forward position in a front line area, Private First Class Graves remained steadfast at his weapon for hours under the enemy’s shattering machine gun, rifle and mortar fire, constantly keeping abreast of our advancing infantry, to gain and hold fire superiority over a fanatic, determined enemy. Fighting furiously against tremendous odds, he succeeded in providing excellent support throughout the entire bitter engagement, contributing materially to the destruction of many heavily-armed pillboxes and dugouts and to the eventual capture of this vital Japanese stronghold by our forces. His daring initiative, dauntless perseverance and zealous devotion to the completion of a perilous mission reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Graves and the United States Naval Service.