The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Richard L. Furman (NSN: 7778661), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in operations against insurgent communist forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 4 July 1966. During a search and destroy operation southwest of DaNang, Petty Officer Furman became involved in action against an enemy force estimated at several hundred Viet Cong. Repeatedly exposing himself to heavy fire despite the personal danger involved, he administered first aid to wounded Marines, then carried the casualties to a safe area for further treatment and evacuation. On one such occasion when the Viet Cong fire was extremely heavy, he shielded a wounded Marine with his own body and carried him to the side of an amphibian tractor, out of the line of fire, to treat his wounds. Although seriously wounded himself when the tractor was hit by enemy fire, Petty Officer Furman courageously assisted the other Corpsmen in treating the other wounded. As more casualties were incurred, he continued to carry the wounded from exposed positions to areas concealed from enemy fire. As the helicopters arrived for evacuation, he helped lead the wounded and was among the last to be evacuated. By his daring actions and steadfast devotion to duty, Petty Officer Furman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.