The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ralph R. Reichenbach (MCSN: 925119), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 14 May 1945. When his company’s assault on strongly-defended Dakeshi Ridge was hampered by extremely heavy machine-gun and mortar fire from Japanese forces in caves and entrenched positions, Private First Class Reichenbach crawled to an exposed position to throw grenades and to fire thirty-three rounds of rocket ammunition at hostile emplacements, thereby reducing several enemy strong points and contributing materially to the capture of the ridge. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.