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 Richard E. Long (ASN: 31188271), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 105th Medical Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 July 1944, in France. Private Long, while attached to an infantry battalion aid station, volunteered to proceed in advance of the aid stat ion personnel in an effort to evacuate casualties of his unit. Proceeding in the face of intense enemy small arms fire and despite falling hostile artillery in the immediate area in which he was performing his tasks, Private Long courageously continued the evacuation of casualties from an area over which the enemy had excellent observation, and which was constantly swept by small arms fire. The courage, devotion to duty, and loyalty to fallen comrades, displayed by Private Long, reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.