The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert S. Durham (MCSN: 1324098), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 – 27 March 1953. When the company was subjected to intense hostile small arms, mortar and artillery fire while advancing in a counterattack against a vital enemy-held outpost, Private First Class Durham was the first man to reach the intermediate objective and, when the enemy charged under cover of the barrage, courageously stood up, exposing himself to the hostile fire to bring devastating counterfire to bear on them which accounted for many enemy dead and wounded. With the action becoming more intense, he fearlessly continued to expose himself to the hostile fire, delivering accurate fire and hurling grenades and, when ordered to withdraw, took up a position at the rear of his unit to cover the evacuation of the many casualties. By his gallant fighting spirit, daring initiative and unswerving devotion to duty, Private First Class Durham served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.