The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard Patrick Woolard (NSN: 0-705057/1130), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of Sea-Air-Land Team Two (SEAL-2), while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict with the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong Communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 10 to 11 May 1968. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Woolard was serving as Platoon Commander for the THIRD Platoon, SEAL Team Detachment ALFA. As patrol leader he led his SEAL Platoon deep into a Viet Cong battalion-sized base and re-supply area. After patrolling 2,000 meters through swamps and open fields he set an ambush on a road leading into a Viet Cong hamlet and made contact with a numerically superior enemy force. His platoon was in a vulnerable position but he completely disregarded his own safety and exposed himself to the enemy by taking them under fire. He came under heavy automatic weapons fire and was wounded in the arm and leg, however, he resumed his position and joined his men in firing on the fleeing Viet Cong, killing one Viet Cong and dispersing their initial advance. He refused medical evacuation to remain with his platoon which was pinned down by heavy fire from two positions and skillfully directed helicopter gun ship attacks on enemy positions, checked ammunition and boosted morale. Through his courage and leadership his platoon maintained their position for two hours until extracted without sustaining any further casualties. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Woolard’s aggressive spirit, professionalism and dedication to duty, although wounded and under heavy enemy fire, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.