The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Richard L. Reich (MCSN: 0-39646), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 March 1945. When all other officers in his company were killed or wounded by a terrific enemy mortar barrage, Second Lieutenant Reich immediately assumed command and quickly reorganized the unit in order to continue the assault which had just begun. Despite the intensity of hostile mortar and small-arms fire, he fearlessly moved up and down the line to deploy his company and, during this action, sent forth one of his platoons which destroyed a number of Japanese installations, thus enabling the company to continue the advance. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.