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 (Corps of Engineers), [then Second Lieutenant] Robert J. Gehm (ASN: 0-2262308), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 27 November 1950, near Kujang-dong, Korea. On the night of that date Lieutenant Gehm was the leader of a platoon, which was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Another platoon of the company was overrun but his platoon stood fast and held that flank of the company secure. He exposed himself constantly to the intense hostile small arms, machine gun and mortar fire with utter disregard for his personal safety in order to maintain the organization and control of his platoon. His fearless conduct under fire gave his men an example of courage that enabled them to repulse the fierce enemy attack on that flank. He held his platoon in place as a rearguard until the remainder of the company had withdrawn to another company’s defensive area after all ammunition in the company had been used up. Lieutenant Gehm assisted the company commander in a successful withdrawal to the Chongchon River through a hail of fire and in getting the men across the river which was frozen so hard that they had to break a path through the ice with their weapons for the passage of wounded men. Later he arranged for the first aid and comfort of his wounded men. His gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.