The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert D. Goodwin (ASN: RA-18344618), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea. On 19 December 1952, Corporal Goodwin, a member of the 26th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon attached to a combat patrol, moved forward with a small group of friendly troops through the night. The patrol’s mission was to capture a prisoner and as they moved well ahead of the main line of resistance, Corporal Goodwin’s dog scented the enemy. From the point position which he occupied, he relayed this information back to the platoon leader who immediately deployed his men and started to circle the enemy force. As the patrol crossed a small stream, a rifleman directly behind Corporal Goodwin stepped on a mine and had both legs severed. The ear-shattering explosion threw Corporal Goodwin to the ground and frightened the scout dog so that he broke away. Although dazed, Corporal Goodwin moved deeper into the minefield and retrieved the valuable animal. As the patrol attempted to withdraw from the danger area, the leader stopped on a mine and the entire patrol, confused and unable to proceed in a different direction, halted. As the enemy force, attracted by the explosion, brought small arms fire to bear on the area, Corporal Goodwin realized the seriousness of the situation. Calling to his men to follow him at a safe distance, Corporal Goodwin seized the initiative and, completely ignoring his own safety, moved across the dangerous minefield, gallantly breaking a path for his comrades to follow. For thirty minutes, at great risk to his own life, he led the patrol until it had reached the friendly lines and safety. The gallantry and selfless devotion to his comrades and his duty displayed by Corporal Goodwin on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.