Richard Draper

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Richard Draper (1118501), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Rifle Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 23 April 1951. Private First Class Draper displayed outstanding qualities of courage and skill in the performance of his duties. During repeated attacks by fanatical enemy forces, he repeatedly exposed himself to small arms and machine gun fire to carry ammunition up steep and mountainous terrain to the front line platoons. Arriving in the platoon area on one such trip, he observed that the platoon had been so depleted by casualties that no one was available to provide covering fire necessary to move a number of seriously wounded Marines through an exposed fire-swept area for evacuation to the rear. Unhesitatingly, he took charge of the men who were with him, and, moving three unmanned machine guns into a position vulnerable to enemy small arms and grenade fire, put them in action and delivered such a heavy and accurate volume of fire his wounded comrades were able to be successfully evacuated. Private First Class Draper’s courageous actions were an inspiration to all who observed him, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.