The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Richard Daniels Shepard (NSN: 0-73496), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. RALPH TALBOT (DD-390), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of New Georgia, Solomon Islands Area, from 29 June to 15 July 1943. In this period of concentrated offensive operations when his ship underwent seven hostile air attacks and participated in two shore bombardments, a fierce night battle and subsequent rescue activities, Lieutenant Commander Shepard, serving as Officer in Charge of the Combat Information Center, rendered invaluable assistance by his accurate tracking of enemy aircraft and surface vessels. During a furious night engagement on 13 July, he performed his vital duties with such expert skill and splendid initiative that he enabled his ship to carry out an effective torpedo attack, thereby greatly contributing to the success of our forces. Lieutenant Commander Shepard’s excellent leadership and courageous devotion to duty under extremely adverse conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Ralph Talbot (DD-390)Action Date:
August 9, 1942
Commander South Pacific: Serial 0564 (April 4, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Richard Daniels Shepard (NSN: 0-73496), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Gunnery Control Officer on the U.S.S. RALPH TALBOT (DD-390), following action with a Japanese cruiser in the Solomon Islands Area on the night of 9 August 1942. When his ship, badly crippled and set afire during severe enemy attack, started to list heavily and was in extreme danger of sinking, Lieutenant Shepard, promptly organizing a fire-fighting party, formed a bucket line, as the fire main had been broken by shell splinters, and succeeded in bringing raging fires under control. Afterward, at the risk of his life, he fearlessly entered a flooded compartment by swimming through a partially submerged jagged shell hole in the ship’s side, making repairs so that water could be pumped out, thereby correcting a good deal of the ship’s list. His prompt, cool and deliberate action throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Ralph Talbot (DD-390)Action Date:
September 1943 – March 3, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Richard Daniels Shepard (NSN: 0-73496), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. RALPH TALBOT (DD-390) from September 1943 to 3 March 1944. During the early part of this period, the RALPH TALBOT was engaged in conducting sweeps among the Solomon Islands searching for enemy barges and transports. Together with several other destroyers, the RALPH TALBOT sank 18 to 20 enemy barges in these sorties. On 6 October, following the Battle of Vella Lavella, the RALPH TALBOT rescued survivors of the CHEVALIER and pursued two groups of enemy ships. Following this, she performed patrol and escort duty in support of landing operations on New Britain and New Guinea, bombarding Gasmata, New Britain with an Australian Task Force. The exceptional professional skill and leadership displayed by Commander Shepard contributed materially to the successful conclusion of these important operations. His conduct and devotion to duty were outstanding and at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Shepard is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Commander Richard Daniels Shepard (NSN: 0-73496), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Surface Anti-Submarine Material Officer of the TENTH Fleet and while serving in the Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. Displaying exceptional initiative, judgment and professional ability, Commander Shepard maintained close coordination between the various agencies engaged in the development of anti-submarine weapons and detection devices and was in large measure responsible for initiating basic plans for integrating their use into the Fleet. His tireless efforts and conscientious devotion to duty were essential factors in the success of our Fleet in combating enemy submarine activities throughout the war and reflect the highest credit upon Commander Shepard and the United States Naval Service.