The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert Keith Mackey (ASN: 0-1925724), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 16 April 1953, Lieutenant Mackey led a friendly reconnaissance patrol beyond the main line of resistance, in the vicinity of Unjang-Ni, Korea. The patrol was suddenly attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. A fire fight ensued in which Lieutenant Mackey and most of his men were wounded. Lieutenant Mackey, unable to walk because of his wounds, crawled back to the support element to get medical aid and litter bearers for his wounded men. When he reached the support element, he was ordered to return to the friendly lines for medical attention. Lieutenant Mackey, however refused to do so, and saying that he could not leave his men lying wounded alone, started crawling back to the position where he had left them. Half way out to his men Lieutenant Mackey suffered mortal wounds from enemy mortar fire. Lieutenant Mackey’s outstanding gallantry and untiring devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.