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 Technician Fifth Grade Robert Dale Maxwell (ASN: 37330616), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 7 September 1944, at 0100 hours, near Besancon, France, Technician Fifth Grade Maxwell voluntarily climbed the roof of a house, under heavy fire from hostile 20-mm. cannon and three machine guns, to lay an overhead wire crossing and thereby provide communications for his Battalion Command Post. Although still lame from an unhealed leg wound sustained in a previous campaign, Technician Fifth Grade Maxwell climbed to the ridgepole while machine gun bullets cut the roofing at his feet, and looped his wire over a radio antenna. Returning to the ground he volunteered to complete the overhead crossing by climbing a second house top. He proceeded on hands and knees toward the ridgepole, while shells crumbled the roofing a few yards from his foot. By completing his mission, he provided the Battalion Commander with instantaneous communications essential to the direction of the assault companies in the attack. 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.

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 Dale Maxwell (ASN: 37330616), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 31 January 1944, at about 0330 hours, the Battalion OP was heavily shelled by artillery, and fragments were cutting all wire communications. Private First Class Maxwell and several wiremen immediately began repairing the lines. As the concentration became even more intense, it forced the wiremen to take cover. Although shells landed within 20 yards of him, wounding two men seriously and himself receiving a fragment wound in the leg, Private First Class Maxwell alone, and with utter disregard for his personal safety or serious injury, remained on the line maintaining communication by repairing wire lines to the Battalion OP and forward elements. For over three hours he remained under this intense enemy fire. Later he was ordered to the Battalion Aid Station and was immediately evacuated to a hospital. His gallant conduct and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.