Robert P. Knaus

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Robert P. Knaus (RA12356606), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Knaus distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Sat’ae-ri, Korea, on the night of 9 – 10 October 1951. While engaged in an assault on a strongly fortified enemy-held hill, the attacking elements of his company were met with devastating automatic-weapons and grenade fire which pinned them down. Carrying his machine-gun, Corporal Knaus maneuvered to a flank of the enemy bunker and although he was subjected to concentrated fire, he brought such effective fire upon the position that it was silenced and his companions were able to advance and secure the first objective. During the succeeding thirty hours the enemy’s several counterattacks were repulsed largely because of his efficient employment of his weapon. When his company resumed the attack, he was again in the vanguard, employing his machine-gun as an assault weapon. As the final objective was secured and the enemy fled, he was killed by a sniper’s bullet.