Headquarters, 37th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 314 (September 25, 1945)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert C. Gilman (ASN: 31303697), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 775th Tank Battalion, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 1 June 1945. Staff Sergeant Gilman was commanding a medium tank which was spearheading the advance of our forces near Santa Fe when his tank as well as his platoon leader’s received heavy fire from two enemy 47-mm. guns and one 75-mm field piece. The platoon leader was wounded and Staff Sergeant Gilman assumed command of the platoon. At approximately the same time both tanks received direct hits and caught fire. Staff Sergeant Gilman directed the evacuation of the crews along with the infantry to a safe distance in the rear. As he moved back he heard the cries of a wounded man. Returning to his burning tank, Staff Sergeant Gilman found the casualty under it and so seriously wounded that he was unable to move. Placing his arms under the injured man’s armpits, Staff Sergeant Gilman dragged him a distance greater than a hundred yards under continual hostile fire to a position of safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Gilman, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.