Robert M. Dinsmore

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Robert M. Dinsmore, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 29 May 1969 while serving as a loader and assistant tank commander with Company D, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while elements of the company were assaulting an enemy bunker complex, his tank was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The explosion wounded the three other crew members, started a small fire in the vehicle and detonated a grenade that filled the tank with irritating gas. Although suffering from the effects of the gas, Sergeant Dinsmore moved his wounded comrades to safety. After observing the loss of his tank had caused the attack to falter, he returned through the hostile fusillade to his vehicle and began firing on the enemy positions with the main gun and a mounted heavy machine gun. Although some of the gas lingered in the vehicle and he was forced to load and fire unaided, Sergeant Dinsmore continued to cover the hostile emplacements with accurate fire until two replacement crew members arrived. He then maneuvered his tank into the assault formation and pressed the attack until the enemy positions had been overrun and destroyed. Sergeant Dinsmore’s outstanding courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.