The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Edward Theer (MCSN: 0-77292), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division. During Operation HARVEST MOON in Quang Tin Province on 10 December 1965, Captain Theer’s Company was ordered into enemy-held territory to aid two imperiled companies of the Battalion. Although the Viet Cong troops tenaciously held a heavily fortified and well-entrenched position, Captain Theer unhesitatingly committed his Company in a bold attack which succeeded in relieving pressure on his fellow Marines. With a resolute determination that inspired his men to follow his example, Captain Theer placed himself at the center of the advancing line and urged his unit forward through a hazardously exposed wide area of open, flooded and fire-torn rice paddies. When the fierceness of battle slowed the advance, Captain Theer, with a ready grasp of the critical situation, requested and directed close air support and artillery fire, perilously exposing himself in order to pinpoint the supporting arms strike, then persistently moved his men forward under cover of the friendly fire. When ordered to withdraw due to darkness, he skillfully organized a well-executed retrograde movement, which ensured the evacuation of all his wounded men. Ever concerned with the welfare of his troops, he personally carried a wounded Marine more than 500 yards through mud and water, gallantly defying enemy fire. During the withdrawal, Captain Theer’s unswerving tactical judgment was again displayed when he countered an enemy flanking movement with quick and decisive maneuvering of his unit. His exceptional leadership and personal valor, coupled with great professional skill and initiative, played an inestimable part in saving the lives of many of his fellow Marines and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. By his indomitable determination and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain Theer upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.