The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Richard Lee Schreifels, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong Communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam, on 31 January 1970. While on a night patrol near Vinh Te Canal, MSR 7 (River Minesweeper-7) came under intense enemy automatic weapons and rocket attack and received three direct rocket hits. MSR 7 burst into flames and drifted helplessly in the kill zone. As a boat captain on the MSR 3, Petty Officer Schreifels was trailing the MSR 7 at a distance of seventy-five yards. Disregarding his own safety, he radioed for help and provided assistance to the burning boat. Ignoring enemy fire, exploding ammunition and the imminent danger of a fuel explosion, he remained alongside until all remaining crew members were rescued. He then radioed the position for a helicopter strike. After leaving the area, he discovered that several MSR 7 crew members were missing and had been thrown overboard. He reentered the kill zone, losing one engine to an enemy round. He searched for the missing men, sighted three men on the beach and maneuvered his boat as close as possible while returning enemy fire. He remained in position until he men had reached the relative security of the boat. His bold courage under fire was directly responsible for saving seven lives. Petty Officer Schreifels’ defiance of danger, fortitude and bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.