The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Richard M. Highsmith, Jr. (MCSN: 0-22769), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Mortar Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Peleliu, Palau Islands on 20 and 21 September 1944. Assigned the mission of delivering supporting fire on enemy held ridges during repeated counter attacks throughout the night, Second Lieutenant Highsmith directed a continuous and destructive mortar barrage against the Japanese, although his own positions were receiving point blank artillery fire and heavy mortar concentrations. When more than half of his platoon had become casualties, he manned one of the two remaining mortars and displaced forward to a completely exposed position where, by direct observation, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and repulsed the attack. His outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.