The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert H. Burkhardt (ASN: 33588198), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 3 April 1945, in Germany. Although he was seriously wounded, Private First Class Burkhardt fired his rifle into positions from which extreme enemy fire was causing heavy casualties in his squad and silenced the fire of three of the enemy. He refused to withdraw with the rest of his squad but continued firing, covering their retreat, until he was killed by a burst of machine gun fire. Private First Class Burkhardt’s gallant and unselfish actions enabled his squad to withdraw from the untenable ground and return to friendly lines. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Burkhardt, 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.