The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Richard F. Walton (ASN: 36640665), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, in action in Germany on 10 April 1945. Upon being assigned the mission of capturing a bridge which was guarded by two German tanks, disregarding personal danger, Staff Sergeant Walton and a fellow soldier advanced to a position within fifty yards of the hostile armor and in the ensuing exchange of fire, the two heroic soldiers were killed. This daring action, cool courage and superior performance of duty inspired the other members of the unit to close on the bridge forcing the enemy tanks to retreat and the bridge was captured intact. He dared to die that freedom might live.