The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard D. Smith (MCSN: 275170), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Platoon Sergeant of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, on 26 June 1944. Observing his Commanding Officer receive serious wounds while directing advanced tank fire during the battle for Fonte Hill, Staff Sergeant Smith voluntarily exposed himself to heavy enemy small-arms fire to go to the aid of the officer. Severely wounded during this action, Staff Sergeant Smith, by his initiative and courageous devotion to duty, served as an inspiration to his men at a most critical point of the battle, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.