The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Richard E. Sather (ASN: 39588592), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Sand, Germany, on 20 March 1945. When his patrol was pinned down by a heavy automatic weapons and small arms barrage from a strongly fortified enemy emplacement, Sergeant Sather, with utter disregard for personal safety, courageously crossed perilous terrain to an exposed position and, with an accurately-aimed rife grenade, inflicted severe casualties and silenced the hostile position, thereby permitting friendly forces to reach their objective. Sergeant Sather’s gallant action and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.