Robert M. Salmon

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Robert M. Salmon, Lieutenant, U.S. Coast Guard (Reserve), for gallantry as commanding officer of a U.S. LCI (L) while landing assault troops in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant Salmon pressed the landing of troops despite the mining of his vessel, a serious fire forward and heavy enemy gunfire. He supervised the unloading of troops, directed the fire fighting despite the loss of proper equipment and exhibiting courage of a high degree remained with the ship until it was impossible to control the progress of the fire until it was impossible to control the progress of the fire and it was necessary to abandon ship over the stern. After abandoning he directed a party searching for fire fighting equipment and subsequently fought the fire on another LCI (L) and assisted her commanding officer until she was abandoned.