The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert Lewis Delzell, II, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Delzell distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 30 April 1970 while serving with Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade. On that date, the company was at Landing Zone SIBERIA when it came under intense rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire preceding a ground attack by an unknown size enemy force. Reacting immediately and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Delzell maneuvered along several positions along the perimeter and directed the fire of his comrades against the insurgents. Despite the danger involved, Sergeant Delzell then led a sweep of the area to intercept the advancing force. Confronting three enemy soldiers at point blank range, Sergeant Delzell immediately succeeded in eliminating one of the insurgents before his weapon jammed. Quickly taking cover, he managed to clear his weapon and eliminate one of the hostile soldiers who was preparing to throw a grenade. Through his timely and courageous actions, Sergeant Delzell was instrumental in the success of the operation and served as an inspiration to his entire unit. Staff Sergeant Delzell’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert Lewis Delzell, II, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Delzell distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 6 June 1970 while serving with Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. On that date, the company was conducting combat operations in the vicinity of An Son when it was assaulted by an unknown size enemy force. In the initial barrage of hostile fire, several members of the friendly unit were severely wounded, including the company commander. Reacting immediately to the urgency of the situation, Sergeant Delzell maneuvered through the hostile fusillade to his fallen comrades’ position and began administering emergency first aid. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to concentrated enemy fire in order to organize the securing of a landing zone for a medical evacuation helicopter. Ignoring the danger involved, Sergeant Delzell assumed command of the company and unhesitatingly moved through heavy volumes of enemy fire to insure that all wounded personnel were evacuated to the extraction point. Making a quick estimate of the tactical situation, he then guided the remainder of his men to more tenable positions. Through his timely and courageous actions, he was instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and served as an inspiration to his entire unit. Staff Sergeant Delzell’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the American Division and the United States Army.