Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Marine Aircraft Group 23

    Action Date:

    August 31, 1942

    Board Serial 724 (August 11, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Richard R. Amerine (MCSN: 0-8036), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached to Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-THREE in combat with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 31 August 1942. While on combat patrol over enemy territory, Second Lieutenant Amerine lost consciousness when his oxygen supply failed, but recovered in time to parachute to safety. After alighting on the water and discarding most of his clothing to facilitate swimming, he made shore and started to trek back through the jungle toward his base. Coming upon a Japanese soldier, Second Lieutenant Amerine killed him with a rock in order to secure his weapons. Although weak from hunger and hunted by the enemy, he succeeded in killing three snipers while working his tortuous way for six days through the underbrush. By his grim determination and indomitable fighting spirit he overcame almost insurmountable difficulties and finally reached his airfield.