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 D. Kitchel (ASN: US-55142989), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 24 December 1951 in the vicinity of Yo-Dong, Korea. On that date, the platoon sized patrol from Company I was pinned down by an intense volume of hostile fire, when Corporal Kitchel noticed that one of his comrades was wounded, completely disregarding his own safety, ran through the fire-swept area to the side of his wounded comrade. Picking the man up in his arms he carried him to cover and administered first aid to him. At this time he saw his platoon leader lying mortally wounded in the field of fire, and once again disregarding his own life he ran through the gauntlet of fire to recover the body. After carrying the body approximately 100 yards the fire became so intense that he had to leave the body behind in order to cover the withdrawing elements of his platoon. The intrepid gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Kitchel will live forever in the hearts of his comrades.