The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Nils Bloomberg (MCSN: 0-92595), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMA(AW)-121), Marine Aircraft Group TWELVE (MAG-12) FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1968, Captain Bloomberg was the Wingman in a flight of two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to provide close air support for a friendly unit which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force northeast of Dong Ha. After arriving over the designated area, which was partially obscured by low clouds and fog, he established contact with the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) and was informed that the enemy was within thirty meters of the ground unit. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Bloomberg executed a non-firing pass over the target area to identify friendly and enemy positions. Although his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he quickly assessed the damage and unhesitatingly elected to continue his attack. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Bloomberg skillfully maneuvered his aircraft through intense automatic weapons fire during repeated low-level bombing and strafing runs, delivering his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy. Despite sustaining two additional hits on his aircraft from the enemy fire, he fearlessly completed eight attacks, effectively silencing the hostile fire. By his courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Bloomberg contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the dangerous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.