The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Leo Sullivan (MCSN: 0-10960), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Liaison Officer, D-2, of Headquarters, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian Island, Marianas Group, 5 August 1944. Leading a patrol while searching enemy command posts and communication centers of intelligence information, Captain Sullivan observed enemy soldiers withdrawing into a cave and, after an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the enemy to surrender, forced an entrance into the cave and led his men against the barricaded Japanese. Although wounded by hand grenades, he continued to direct the patrol until the enemy were destroyed and a search for possible documents left behind by high Japanese military officers had been completed. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Captain Sullivan and the United States Naval Service.