Robert E. Zierolf

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Staff Sergeant Robert E. Zierolf, 35 018 870, Infantry, Company “D”, 7th Infantry Regiment. On the night 5 February 1945, in Vogelsheim, France, when the enemy launched a counter-attack under SP fire that caused three casualties, Sergeant Zierolf elected to remain exposed, in order to watch the enemy’s movements. Observing about 20 Germans advancing rapidly, he opened fire with his carbine and alerted his machine gun section. As his comrades withdrew on order, he covered their movement with carbine and hand grenade fire. Although pointblank automatic and rifle fire missed him by inches, he held off the superior enemy force until his section had reached safety. Later, reinforced by a rifle platoon, Sergeant Zierolf led an attack that regained his original position.