The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Robert C. Dahn (ASN: RA-44077810), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. On 24 March 1951, near Uijongbu, Korea, Sergeant Dahn’s unit had the mission of attacking and seizing a hill. After crossing through approximately two hundred yards of rice paddies, completely exposed to enemy mortar and small arms fire, his squad reached the base of the hill. Working their way up the hill, Sergeant Dahn and his squad were pinned down by an automatic weapon which was holding up the advance of the entire platoon. Sergeant Dahn immediately grabbed a hand grenade and fearlessly moved forward to destroy this enemy automatic weapon. Within ten yards of the emplacement, an enemy soldier from his left tossed a grenade at him. Immediately grabbing the grenade, he threw it back at the enemy and killed him. Advancing on the emplacement once more, although exposed to very intense fire, he threw his grenade at the automatic weapon emplacement and killed three enemy soldiers. As a result of his courageous actions an automatic weapon and two mortars were captured and the platoon’s advance was made possible. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Dahn reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

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 First Class Robert C. Dahn (ASN: RA-44077810), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. Sergeant Dahn distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy on 23 – 24 June 1951, near Segok, Korea. The objective of Sergeant Dahn’s platoon, a prominent ridge and sector of Hill 717, was defended by a well-entrenched and heavily armed enemy force. Advancing through the continuous hail of enemy fire, the platoon, led by Sergeant Dahn, was pinned down approximately 200 yards from its objective by a withering crossfire from enemy machine guns. Realizing that a frontal attack was the only solution, he led the final assault, using fixed bayonets and marching fire; however, before reaching the objective, a great volley of enemy machine gun fire, concussion grenades, and mortar shells fell on the unit, halting it and knocking Sergeant Dahn off his feet and wounding him. Heedless of this, he quickly sprang to his feet urging the men forward and again leading the assault. Upon discovering an enemy mortar position on the forward hill slope, he rushed toward the emplacement, leaped into the hole with the enemy mortar man and killed him at point-blank range with rifle fire; he then threw the weapon out and destroyed it. Still moving about under hostile fire, he organized defenses which repulsed an enemy counterattack, inflicting very heavy losses upon the foe. When the enemy counterattacked a second time with overwhelming odds and overran the position, Sergeant Dahn planned the withdrawal and successfully led the platoon to safety. The exemplary gallantry, aggressiveness, and inspiring leadership displayed by Sergeant Dahn reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.