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 Richard E. Blair (ASN: 20724303), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Regiment in action in the **** Sector, France, on 13 July 1944. Upon learning that a member of a tank crew was inside a disabled tank and two other wounded soldiers were on the ground nearby, Sergeant Blair, with another soldier, proceeded into the area being shelled by both Allied and enemy fire and removed the wounded men from the area to a position of safety, thereby saving their lives. The gallantry in action, disregard for personal safety and unselfish loyalty of Sergeant Blair reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.