The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Harold T. A. Richmond (MCSN: 0-5936), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, In action against enemy Japanese forces in the Borgen Bay Area, Camp Gloucester, New Britain, on 22 and 23 January 1944. Placed in command of a reinforced company and assigned the mission of occupying and defending the Natamo Point Area, Major Richmond directed his troops in maintaining a defensive position and in securing the ground gained during the day after his company’s advance along the coast was held up on the first evening by heavy hostile mortar and machine-gun fire. With a small patrol of volunteers, he advanced inland to pass around the enemy’s left flank and, after hours of tedious maneuvering, led his patrol into the midst of hostile defenses to observe the positions of the Japanese as well as the number of personnel. Withdrawing by the same route, he initiated an aggressive attack on the following morning and destroyed the enemy, thereby securing the west side of Borgen Bay. By his leadership, courage and devotion to duty, Major Richmond contributed materially to the success of our operations against the heavily fortified Japanese stronghold, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.