The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Richard Thomas Lynch (ASN: 0-83340), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in action on 10 September 1964. As Senior Advisor to a ranger battalion of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam, Captain Lynch displayed fortitude, professional skill, and perseverance while accompanying the battalion on a search and clear operation. Within 10 minutes after the battalion’s landing from Regional Force boats, the forward elements received sniper fire. Captain Lynch immediately exposed himself to the danger by taking a lead position with the battalion commander to assist him with tactical advice and to encourage him to maintain contact with the hostile forces. Although the battalion commander succeeded in establishing flank security and automatic weapons deployment to cover the forward movement, as well as maintaining light contact with the enemy, the forward company suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire directly ahead from an enemy unit of platoon size. As the enemy weapons fire intensified and the battalion sustained heavy casualties, Captain Lynch bravely remained in a semi-exposed position to observe the enemy activity and to provide his counterpart with sound tactical advice. Despite the constant enemy fire, he continued to demonstrate his courageous actions and to inspire the friendly Vietnamese forces until he was mortally wounded. Captain Lynch’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.