Robert H. Coldren

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal to Robert H. Coldren (0-1925891), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 14 June 1953, Company E conducted a raid on Hill 412 in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. Lieutenant Coldren was platoon leader of one of the assault platoons during the attack. Immediately after reaching the objective, his platoon became victim to intense raking machine gun and artillery fire. Lieutenant Coldren inspired his men to drive forward to the enemy positions, although heavy casualties were suffered. As he entered the trenches of the enemy, he rose to an exposed position, and mortally wounded two enemy soldiers. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Coldren was wounded by a burst of fire from an enemy automatic weapon and refused to be evacuated until his mission had been accomplished and his platoon returned to safety. Lieutenant Coldren’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Robert H. Coldren (0-1925891), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 9 June 1953, as patrol leader of a five man daylight reconnaissance patrol to Hill 412 in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, Lieutenant Coldren crawled within twenty yards of enemy positions, securing vital information which served as tactical intelligence for subsequent offensive action. Returning to the main line of resistance under a devastating mortar bombardment when the mission had been accomplished, he immediately volunteered to lead the support element in an attack on that position the same afternoon. The patrol departed friendly lines and set up on the position from which supporting fire would dominate the enemy stronghold. He directed a base of fire in close support of the assault group. On one occasion, while twenty-five enemy soldiers attempted to flank the assault element, he exposed himself to hostile fire to neutralize the enemy action. After an intense fire fight in which twenty enemy soldiers were mortally wounded, Lieutenant Coldren remained, the last man on the position, covering the retrograde movement of friendly forces under heavy fire. Lieutenant Coldren’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.