The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Richard L. Waem (ASN: US-55052714), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Detachment, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 28 May 1951, near Ipyong-ni, Korea. On this occasion he was with Company B, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, when that unit was proceeding in convoy. The convoy was attacked by enemy forces and friendly units suffered many casualties. Private Waem immediately went to the aid of the wounded. The enemy kept the road and surrounding ditches under intense fire but despite the hail of bullets, he calmly went from wounded to wounded administering aid. He placed them in defilade positions and carried some to the shelter of a ruined house. When he did this he became separated from friendly forces and had to cross open ground in order to rejoin his unit. His heroic example reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.