The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert J. Hartsell (ASN: ER-17206792), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, near Chaun-ni, Korea. On that date he was a member of an infantry unit which was attempting to evacuate its supplies and wounded, when it was suddenly attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Wen the enemy threatened to overrun the unit’s perimeter, Corporal Hartsell immediately organized a squad and personally placed each man in a strategic position. During this action he exposed himself to intense enemy fire and aided three wounded men to an area of comparative safety. When his unit was ordered to withdraw, he remained behind laying down protective fire, and before withdrawing himself, he destroyed all remaining valuable equipment so that it would not fall into enemy hands. His heroic actions were instrumental in saving many lives and contributed materially to the successful withdrawal of his unit. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Hartsell reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.