(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Sergeant Robert P. Dawson (ASN: 7013596), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as a member of the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert P. Dawson (ASN: 7013596), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 and 25 January 1945 in France. Sergeant Dawson, assistant platoon leader, volunteered with the crew of his armored reconnaissance vehicle, to support friendly infantrymen who were withdrawing in the face of a powerful enemy attack to repel any further attacks of hostile forces. He maneuvered the armored car to a point in direct view of the enemy from which he and his crew delivered sustained fire on the enemy permitting friendly troops to reorganize and establish a new defensive position. He then moved the vehicle to a position from which he could support another armored car and upon learning that this car was out of ammunition, he took over its mission. Sergeant Dawson continued to patrol the area, killing and wounding many enemy troops and drawing ammunition from the infantry troops when his own supply was expended. At the end of the engagement the enemy had been forced to withdraw and friendly infantry had regained former positions. The courage and tenacity of purpose displayed by Sergeant Dawson in the face of numerically superior enemy forces reflect high credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.