The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Richard W. Apple, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 322d Engineer Combat Battalion, 97th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. Near Leighlingen, Germany, on 16 April 1945, Technician Fifth Grade Apple while returning from a motorized reconnaissance observed an enemy soldier near the road. As the driver halted the vehicle Technician Fifth Grade Apple observed other hostile soldiers and shortly two enemy machine guns opened fire on the vehicle. Technician Fifth Grade Apple dove into the road and returned the hostile fire enabling the driver to reach a ditch. In this brief engagement Technician Fifth Grade Apple killed three of the enemy before he was wounded in both arms and one leg. Technician Fifth Grade Apple’s gallantry on this occasion reflects high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.