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 R. Reed (ASN: 338508463), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 March 1945, in Germany. Private First Class Reed and a comrade advanced with their machine gun to a position where they could fire on enemy machine gunners who were spraying the ground with fire and pinned their company down. Gallantly setting up their gun in the face of the bullets hitting all around them, they fired so effectively that they knocked out the enemy position and allowed their company to surge forward toward its objective. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Reed, 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.