The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard T. Washburn (MCSN: 0-6335), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Marine Raider Battalion during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands between 4 November and 4 December 1942. On 11 November, while leading his company to the assistance of Company C, which was already heavily engaged, Captain Washburn encountered a numerically superior Japanese force crossing the Metapona River. With utter disregard for his own personal safety he unhesitatingly attacked the enemy inflicting heavy losses; he was finally forced to withdraw in the face of overwhelming machine gun, mortar and 20-mm. fire. Quickly reorganizing his company in the jungle, he dauntlessly led his men in a second attack against the enemy. His keen judgment and outstanding courage saved the lives of many in this engagement who otherwise might have perished. During subsequent operations his daring and skillful leadership and fearless devotion to duty were an inspiration to both officers and men throughout the battalion and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.