The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert L. Hayes, Jr. (ASN: 0-1686792), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Mortar Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 24 July 1950, near Sanyong-ni, Korea, enemy tanks penetrated the perimeter and threatened to overrun a platoon which was running out of ammunition. Lieutenant Hayes, although not assigned to the infantry platoon, met the ammunition truck and was leading it forward when an enemy tank fired point blank at his jeep, hit it and put it out of action. Though stunned by the blast, Lieutenant Hayes quickly deployed his men and crawled forward to the platoon and rallied the men who were starting to displace. The rocket launcher which he tried to fire failed, so he used hand grenades on the hostile tanks, thereby diverting their action so that the platoon could withdraw to more secure positions. Lieutenant Hayes’ initiative, valorous leadership and personal example of undaunted courage reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.