The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Robert X. De Marcellus (ASN: 0-2002970), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 3 October 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Lieutenant De Marcellus was serving as patrol leader of a friendly unit whose mission was to attack an enemy position on Hill 198. As the friendly unit neared its objective, it was suddenly subjected to intense enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant De Marcellus, with complete disregard for personal safety, moved about the impact area, organizing his men in a defensive perimeter from which to direct the most harassing line of fire upon the enemy emplacements. Although wounded early in the fight by hostile fire, Lieutenant De Marcellus refused to be evacuated and remained with his men shouting words of encouragement and directing operations. When the enemy fire increased, he ordered his men to withdraw to more tenable positions. Upon seeing a man wounded during the withdrawal, Lieutenant De Marcellus and another member of his unit remained behind to aid and guard the man until he was safely evacuated. Through his inspirational leadership, indomitable courage and devotion to duty, the unit returned to friendly lines with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant De Marcellus reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.