The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Corporal Richard Conrad Vasquez, Jr. (MCSN: 358383), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement as a Security Section Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands and Tarawa, Gilbert Islands and at Saipan and Tinian, Mariana Islands, from 4 January 1943 to 1 August 1944. Through his outstanding initiative and ingenuity, Corporal Vasquez contributed materially to the success of his unit in inflicting severe damage on hostile forces. His inspiring courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Corporal Vasquez is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)