The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Robert C. Foster (ASN: 0-1011320), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while Commanding Company A, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, in action in the area of Liesel, Holland, on 28 October 1944. While he was serving as Company Commander, Captain Foster’s tank sustained a direct hit, killing and wounding his crew and blowing him from the turret. Although suffering from concussion, he remounted the tank and helped remove the injured soldiers from the stricken vehicle. Ignoring the intense barrage of artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, Captain Foster moved up and down the exposed road, directing his platoons to new positions. After preparing his men to resist the assault, he again disregarded his own safety to rescue another wounded soldier from a disabled tank. With the assistance of another soldier, he carried the wounded man nearly a mile through intense enemy fire until he found a medical vehicle. Captain Foster’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to his men, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Armored Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Robert C. Foster (ASN: 0-1011320), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of St. Vith, Belgium, between 17 and 21 December 1944. When, as Commanding Officer of Company A, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, he was leading his company toward the village and rounding a bend in the road, he discovered a German infantry column accompanied by three tanks. He engaged in a fierce fire fight at close range, in which 50 German infantrymen were killed and the 9 tanks were destroyed. In later enemy attacks, Captain Foster moved (dismounted) from tank to tank and directed his company’s fire, which destroyed two more tanks and an 88-mm. gun. He continued to lead and personally direct the fires of his tank company during the next three days and personally led a counterattack which destroyed an enemy penetration. On 21 December, Captain Foster was killed by a German artillery barrage while standing on the deck of his tank directing artillery fire. Captain Foster’s courage and gallantry were an inspiration to his men in the hard-fought battle for St. Vith. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Armored Division, and the United States Army.