The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Donald W. Richardson (ASN: 17082503), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 12 January 1945, near Rittershoffen, France, Technician Richardson and another soldier proceeded through heavy artillery and machine gun fire to repair a break in the wire to the 2nd Battalion and, after locating the break, repaired it under intense enemy small arms fire.