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. Oliver (ASN: 12073324), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy near Dasburg, Germany, on 25 January 1945. Staff Sergeant Oliver volunteered to expose himself and draw enemy machine gun fire. Having succeeded in this mission he continued on and single-handed wiped out an enemy machine gun nest. Under intense enemy fire he gallantly moved forward and fired his rifle grenades, stunning the enemy, and then rushed in and killed them with his gammon grenades. His actions were in accordance with the highest standards of the military service.