The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Richard Barella (MCSN: 54793), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Automatic Rifleman, serving with Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 March 1945. With his squad waging a fierce attack against well-entrenched, heavily armed enemy forces, Private First Class Barella voluntarily crawled to an exposed position in order to fire more effectively upon the fanatic Japanese and, pouring a deadly stream of rifle fire on the hostile position, succeeded in annihilating two machine guns with their crews and in silencing still another enemy weapon. By his steadfast determination, indomitable fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of strong opposition, Private First Class Barella enabled his squad to achieve its objective, and his courage throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.