The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Richard Buegel (MCSN: 447286), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Battery D, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, 12 April 1945. Just as an enemy shell exploded in the gun pit killing four men, wounding three others and setting fire to the ammunition in the pit, Corporal Buegel returned from his mission of turning on the aiming stake lights and, although exposed to enemy shellfire and the burning and exploding ammunition, succeeded in removing one of his wounded comrades to a place of safety. Going back to the gun pit to rescue more casualties, he reached another man and found him dead and was then forced to withdraw by the rapidly advancing flames. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.