The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Richard A. Winegar (MCSN: 806258), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as group leader in a Marine rifle platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 26 February 1945. Although wounded and awaiting evacuation at his company command post. Corporal Winegar volunteered to deliver a message directing one of the platoons to place fire to its left flank from which very intense enemy barrages had been inflicting numerous casualties on the remainder of the company. Unable to locate the platoon leader after proceeding through heavy hostile rifle and machine gun fire and finding that the leader of the squad on the left blank had just been mortally wounded he assumed command and directed fire on the Japanese positions completely neutralizing them. While searching for the platoon leader to inform him of the situation he was fatally wounded by an enemy mortar shell. His courageous initiative and inspiring leadership reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Winegar and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.