The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Robert Lily Spragins (ASN: 0-3591), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Assistant Commanding General of the 95th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 30 January 1943. At the height of the battle of the Bonegi River, Brigadier General Spragins led a front line attack aimed a rolling up the enemy left flank. Pinned to the ground by a curtain of enemy fire, he and a detachment of troops were caught between the Japanese outpost and the Japanese main line. In order to ascertain the location of the enemy’s position, Brigadier General Spragins, taking cover in a gravel pit, kept popping his head up to see if he could find the enemy main lines. Finally, assuring himself of the enemy position, Brigadier General Spragins crept out into the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and crawled back partly under water to the American lines. There, he issued the necessary orders to mortar squads which opened fire with telling effect. He relayed the same data to the artillery, and the enemy strong points were demolished. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Spragins, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.