(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Thomas Richard, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving with Zulu Platoon, SEAL Team 1, in action against the enemy on 30 January 1971, on South Vietnam’s Ca Mau Peninsula in the southernmost point of the country. Early on that day, Viet Cong insurgents had fired on the SEALs’ helicopter and wounded the First Squad’s radioman, which aboard the mission. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Richards and five other SEALs returned to the site to complete their mission. Upon insertion, they immediately took enemy fire. Two SEALs were shot and severely wounded. Three of the able-bodied SEALs returned fire at Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Richards exposed himself to retrieve the wounded. His was shot in the hand in the process, and another SEAL was hot in the chest. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Richards pulled the two critically wounded SEALs behind a rice paddy dike. They were extracted b the “Seawolves” of Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three. Of the six SEALs on the mission, four were wounded. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Richard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Navy.