The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Theodore Max Waldschmidt (NSN: 0-10922), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. RICHMOND (CL-9), flagship of a Task Group in action against enemy Japanese naval forces off the Komandorski Islands on 26 March 1943. With accurate and damaging fire directed at a hostile heavy cruiser, Captain Waldschmidt opened a fierce running battle which continued without respite for three hours and a half with an enemy of far superior strength. Skillfully maneuvering his ship to avoid hostile 8-inch salvos which fell around her, he was able, with relentless gunfire, to force back enemy light cruisers attempting to close in, thus providing essential protection for a heavy cruiser of our task group which was in serious difficulty. Exercising keen judgment and superb seamanship, Captain Waldschmidt rendered vital assistance to the Task Group Commander in turning back the superior Japanese force, thereby thwarting a desperate attempt to deliver urgently needed supplies to enemy troops on the Aleutian Islands. His exemplary conduct and steadfast devotion to duty throughout the engagement were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.