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 A. Aseka (ASN: 30104985), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 23 October 1944, in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France. In the face of continuous enemy artillery fire, Sergeant Aseka strung a telephone communication line between his platoon CP and OP. When it became necessary to have closer contact between his company and an adjacent unit, so that the attack on Biffontaine could be better coordinated, he volunteered to lay a wire across 600 yards of terrain exposed to enemy observations and fire. In the face of intense artillery, tank, machine gun, machine pistol and 20-millimeter fire, Sergeant Aseka accompl9ished the mission of laying the wire. When continued shellings damaged the line, he again volunteered and made the necessary repairs. 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.