The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard F. Vercauteren (MCSN: 0-104377), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Company E was conducting a patrol near Hill 891 in Quang Tri Province when the point squad came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire and sustained several casualties. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Vercauteren skillfully deployed his men, instructed them to set up a base of suppressive fire, and organized an assault on the hostile positions. Moving throughout the fire-swept terrain with complete disregard for his own safety, he shouted encouragement to his men and skillfully directed their fire at the enemy. Alertly observing a Marine who had been seriously wounded during the initial moment of the fire fight, First Lieutenant Vercauteren unhesitatingly rushed through the enemy fire to the side of the casualty. Despite the heavy volume of hostile rounds impacting near him, he pulled his companion to a position of relative safety and, by subsequently ensuring his medical evacuation, was instrumental in saving the life of his companion. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the defeat of the North Vietnamese Army unit. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Vercauteren upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.