The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert M. Goeglein (MCSN: 801632), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine-gunner of Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 2 April 1945. When his machine gun squad and rifle squad were cut off from the rest of their platoon by a group of about twenty hostile troops during an attack down a series of small ridges, Private First Class Goeglein picked up his machine gun and, firing from the hip, delivered an intense and accurate volume of fire which killed fifteen of the enemy and silenced four automatic weapons, thereby reopening a route of contact with his platoon. Although wounded by a Japanese grenade during this action, he refused treatment or evacuation until the situation was completely stabilized. By his skilled marksmanship and cool courage under fire, he contributed materially to the success of his company in routing the enemy. His unhesitating devotion to duty reflects the highest credit on Private First Class Goeglein and the United States Naval Service.