Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Paul William Robey, Jr. (ASN: 11048120), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 18 November 1944. Withering cross fire from well-concealed enemy machine guns pinned down an attacking platoon near the outskirts of a German village. Upon observing the location of one of the guns in a building, Staff Sergeant Robey voluntarily and courageously ran across thirty yards of exposed ground to reach the structure. With two well-placed grenades, he annihilated the entire gun crew. Sighting an anti-tank gun, Staff Sergeant Robey charged the position single-handedly with an automatic rifle, killing several Germans and forcing the surrender of eighteen others. Half way through the town, he observed an enemy tank blocking an important road junction. While enemy artillery shells landed nearby, he quickly led several tank destroyers to the scene and effectively directed fire which disabled the hostile tank. As crew members attempted to make a getaway, his poured a hail of automatic rifle fire upon them and killed the entire crew. Staff Sergeant Robey’s outstanding courage and great personal bravery, though wounded by shell fragments during this engagement, resulted in the successful assault upon the town. His intrepid actions and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 109 (October 18, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Paul William Robey, Jr. (ASN: 11048120), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 2, 1944

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 50 (March 3, 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 Paul W. Robey, Jr. (ASN: 11048120), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany on 2 October 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.