The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Richard M. Rupe (MCSN: 888100), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 14 May 1945. When his squad, sent to reinforce forward elements, was stopped by intense and accurate enemy sniper fire that took a heavy tool of his men and denied further advance, sergeant Rupe moved out to seek the sources of the hostile fire and personally succeeded in locating and killing three snipers, thereby making it possible for his squad to advance. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.