The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Richard Fleming Spindler (MCSN: 305551), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 9 October 1942. During his employment as a sniper far behind hostile lines, Sergeant Spindler sighted a large Japanese force moving toward envelopment of an area intended for occupation by a Marine unit. Realizing the immediate danger confronting his comrades and the imminent threat to their proposed objective, he cautiously worked his way back through enemy-infested territory in order to convey his information to headquarters. As a result of his alert presence of mind and courageous initiative, a combat unit was dispatched to the point in time to engage and hold the enemy until reinforcements could be brought up and the Japanese driven out. His heroic foresightedness contributed materially to the successful operation of our forces in this area and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine DivisionAction Date:
September 24 – October 4, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Richard Fleming Spindler (MCSN: 305551), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Adjutant of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, from 24 September to 4 October 1944. Volunteering to dispose of Japanese snipers harassing our troops in the area of a medical company, Second Lieutenant Spindler bravely and daringly eliminated one sniper and at the same time discovered an abandoned Marine tank in an enemy dominated valley to which, after thoroughly reconnoitering and discovering numerous hostile caves, he returned with a tank retriever and a flame thrower and, directing covering fire, enabled the retriever to rescue the disabled tank and the flame thrower to burn out the mouths of the caves. Igniting a Japanese ammunition dump in one of the caves which resulted in ten hours of explosions and heavy fire and the annihilation of six of the enemy, Second Lieutenant Spindler, determinedly volunteered to return the next morning to complete the extermination of the remaining deeply-entrenched troops and, leading a small Army infantry group, supported by two tanks, accounted for fifteen more Japanese and closed several of the caves with the tanks. Again on 4 October, in the face of sniper fire, he returned to the valley and infiltrated into the hostile positions to evacuate wounded Marines. His outstanding perseverance, courageous initiative and untiring devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Spindler and the United States Naval Service.