The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Richard N. Eide (MCSN: 365628), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company E, Third Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Voluntarily attacking an enemy emplacement which was preventing the advance of his unit, Platoon Sergeant Eide was twice wounded while working his way to the rear of the hostile position. Courageously continuing until he reached his objective, he destroyed it with hand grenades. When his weapon failed to function while trying to bring down one of the enemy as he fled, he pursued him for approximately thirty yards despite his wounded leg and succeeded in killing the escaping Japanese with a hand grenade. His bold initiative and courageous fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.