Robert C. Wiley

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Robert C. Wiley (0-423009), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 3 and 9 August 1944. On 3 August 1944, Captain Wiley’s company became badly disorganized after several hours of fierce fighting. Wiley, at the risk of his own life, pulled his men together into a fighting unit. Although painfully wounded in the cheek by small arms fire, he refused to be evacuated and personally led his company into a strongly employed enemy position and succeeded in capturing the objective. In an engagement on 9 August 1944, most of his officers were either killed or wounded. Captain Wiley, although severely wounded in the leg by machine gun fire, brilliantly directed the actions of this company and personally led it forward 800 yards under heavy mortar and automatic weapons fire until he was killed by sniper fire. Captain Wiley’s gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 28th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.