The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Earl L. Richmond (MCSN: 457331), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Antitank Grenadier and rifle Squad Leader, of Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, 31 July 1944. Closely following the lead scouts of his platoon in attack when they were halted and pinned down by machine-gun fire from an enemy tank, Corporal Richmond fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy fire and, from a position only twenty yards from the vehicle, loaded and fired four antitank grenades, putting the tank out of action. Then, after throwing three grenades at an enemy group in the brush, he picked up a seriously wounded comrade and carried him approximately thirty yards to a place of comparative safety, subsequently rejoining his squad in the attack. His cool courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.