The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard K. Ajifu (ASN: 30104786), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, on 20 October 1944. When enemy troops suddenly fired upon two leading squads of an attack, pinning them down, Sergeant Ajifu was severely wounded through the cheekbones and right leg. The enemy, firing from a heavily wooded knoll, then began to pick off the men. Disregarding his painful injuries and subsequent exposed position, Sergeant Ajifu sat up and sprayed the enemy with his sub-machine gun, enabling his comrades to withdraw under the covering fire. When the men had reached their covered positions he then crawled to safety himself. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.