The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard J. Schening (MCSN: 0-42275), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 20 March 1951. With his company vigorously engaging the enemy when a fire, ignited by a hostile mortar burst, rapidly spread and separated the advancing unit from his company, First Lieutenant Schening immediately summoned a support platoon and quickly rushed into the fire-swept area. Braving intense enemy fire, he skillfully formed a base of gunfire to cover the endangered unit and calmly led the trapped men through dense smoke back to safety. After assisting in the reorganization of the platoon, he aided the platoon leader in leading an aggressive, final assault against the enemy, overrunning the positions and seizing the objective. By his outstanding leadership, marked courage and unswerving devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Schening served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.