Robert J. Donoghue

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Four Robert J. Donoghue, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), for gallantry in action from 3 October 1968 to 4 October 1968, while serving in direct support of a medical evacuation of wounded Soldiers from a battalion size ambush. When the evacuation helicopter reached the ambush location, it was found that due to thick undergrowth, it was impossible to land. Without hesitation, Specialist Four Donoghue rappelled down from the helicopter to the wounded Soldiers. He tied a wounded Soldier to himself, and ignoring the heavy enemy fire, climbed the same rope he rappelled with, back to the aircraft. He then rappelled back into the firefight in order to lead the unit to a landing zone from which the wounded could be evacuated. Specialist Four Donoghue then remained with the ambushed unit, calling in supporting fire which resulted in devastating casualties to the North Vietnamese battalion. Specialist Four Donoghue’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the United States Army.