The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert J. Baker (ASN: RA-12284855), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Kunmul-gol, Korea. On the morning of that date Private Baker was a member of the 75-mm. recoilless rifle platoon. A numerically superior enemy had succeeded in encircling the company and overrunning the battalion and company command posts. On receipt of word that the command post group would make an effort to break out of the encirclement, Private Baker voluntarily remained to cover the withdrawal by mounting a machine gun in the path of the enemy. Though wounded during the action and having lost the use of one arm, he courageously remained by his gun, placing deadly fire upon the enemy until all the group had reached safety and he himself had expended his ammunition. His death defying action was responsible for the safe withdrawal of his comrades. The gallantry displayed by Private Baker reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.