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) Robert Gale (ASN: 0-1314126), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Tari-dong, Korea, on 3 August 1951. His platoon had the mission of conducting a diversion assault on a highly fortified hill while the remainder of the company attacked another enemy-held objective. Serving as Platoon Leader, Lieutenant Gale led his men to the base of the hill and exposed himself in a manner calculated to convince the hostile troops that they were being attacked. The enemy delivered a murderous concentration of mortar, small arms and machine gun fire, wounding two of his men. Lieutenant Gale ordered his platoon to seek cover from the intense fire while he, personally, proceeded to evacuate his wounded comrades. The platoon received orders to withdraw and rejoin the company but was unable to do so because of heavy mortar fire. Lieutenant Gale ordered his men to set up a perimeter defense until they could move out under cover of their own protective fire. He personally supervised this fire and did not leave until all his men had safely withdrawn. His diversion was so effective in drawing enemy troops from the company objective that it was taken with comparative ease. Although fighting in an area well separated from his company, and thus subjected to possible counterattacks by the numerically superior enemy force, he fearlessly continued his aggressive moves toward the enemy positions without hesitation until the mission was successfully completed. Lieutenant Gale’s gallant actions, intrepid leadership and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.