Robert S. Roberts

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Robert S. Roberts (0-60192), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving commanding a rifle platoon of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Roberts distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokchong-Myon, Korea, from 1 to 5 September 1950. During this period First Lieutenant Roberts’ platoon had the mission of holding an important position between two battalions. This position was subjected to continual attacks by the numerically superior enemy who attempted to use it as a main route of infiltration. During the day, enemy mortar and artillery fire were concentrated on the small area, and after darkness, Lieutenant Roberts and his men were repeatedly subjected to fanatical attacks by hostile troops. Despite the tremendous odds, Lieutenant Roberts valiantly directed the defensive actions of his platoon and repelled the attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. When ammunition ran low and the supply from the rear was cut off, Lieutenant Roberts crawled forward and stripped the enemy dead of rifles, ammunition and grenades for use against future banzai thrusts. On the night of 5 September 1950, the battered platoon was attacked by an overwhelming enemy force and in the ensuing action Lieutenant Roberts was mortally wounded while directing the fire of his men. However, as a result of his gallant and intrepid leadership, enormous casualties were inflicted on the enemy and when the platoon withdrew, more than one hundred and forty enemy dead littered three sides of the position.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 510 (July 4, 1951)