Robert H. Crum, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Robert H. Crum, Jr. (0-5326386), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army (Reserve), for gallantry in action: Second Lieutenant Crum distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 22 May 1966, while serving as Platoon Leader of the First Platoon on a sweep and clear mission near Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. After being trapped in a deadly Viet Cong killing zone, defended by heavily fortified positions, Second Lieutenant Crum directed the platoon in an assault against the positions. Although having sustained a shoulder wound, he continued to direct his men to cover the personnel in the area who had become casualties, demonstrating his fearless and courageous leadership to his men. He rallied his troops a second time to try to extract the casualties from the killing zone. Again he was wounded by enemy fire and relinquishing command of the platoon gave orders to “Take control and get these men out”. His unimpeachable gallantry in combat against a numerically superior enemy force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.