The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert L. Minium (MCSN: 827791), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a Rifle Platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 9 May 1945. Observing that several wounded men were lying in front of the platoon’s positions in grave danger from hostile machine-gun and rifle fire, Private First Class Minium unhesitatingly went forward in full view of the enemy and carried them to safety. After the Japanese began a strong counterattack, he was another comrade lying unconscious ahead of an adjoining platoon’s lines and, rushing out directly in front of the attacking hostile forces through an area swept by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, picked up his fallen comrade and brought him back to the comparative safety of the platoon’s defense lines where he could be given first-aid treatment. His initiative, cool courage and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.