The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert L. Wachtler (ASN: 32929488), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 20 March 1945, at Ludwigswinkel, Germany, while serving as company aid man, Private Wachtler rushed out from behind the protection of a tank and, running more than thirty yards under severe mortar, artillery, and small arms fire, administered first aid to a wounded man. After evacuating the man, Private Wachtler ran a similar distance and gave first aid to another soldier. Although shot at continuously by enemy machine guns and small arms, he would not leave the injured men until he had evacuated them and sent them back to the aid station.