The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jerry Wayne Richardson (MCSN: 2158365), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Anti-tank Assault Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 March 1967, Corporal Richardson was aboard the last vehicle of a convoy en route to DaNang, providing security for the convoy when it was ambushed by an estimated company of North Vietnamese soldiers using automatic weapons, recoilless rifles and mortars. Reacting instantly and with complete disregard for his own safety, he leaped from the truck and began delivering a heavy volume of accurate 3.5″ rocket fire at the enemy in an attempt to suppress the hostile fire and allow the remainder of the Marines aboard the trucks to deploy. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Corporal Richardson maintained his position in order to direct effective rocket fire a the enemy positions. After his rocket rounds were expended, he obtained an M-60 machine gun and dauntlessly continued to bring a heavy volume of fire to bear on the enemy. Observing a Marine lying in an open area, he fearlessly dashed through the hostile fire and carried the wounded man to cover. Upon receiving the order to board the trucks, Corporal Richardson made two more trips across thirty meters of fire-swept terrain, carrying wounded companions to the vehicles. After boarding the last vehicle, he continued to deliver deadly fire on the enemy as the convoy moved out of the hazardous area. His heroic actions were responsible for the destruction of an enemy mortar position and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. By his courage, determined fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Richardson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.