The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert A. Mahl (ASN: US-52086074), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 26th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self-Propelled), 24th Infantry Division, (then a member of the 52d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self-Propelled), 24th Infantry Division), near Paegyangni, Korea, on 8 November 1951. His unit dispatched a platoon of weapons carriers to give close fire support to infantry elements attacking an enemy held objective. As the platoon was maneuvering into position, it was subjected to an intensely concentrated enemy mortar barrage which disabled two vehicles and forced the others to withdraw temporarily. When informed of the two critical weapons abandoned in enemy territory and the possibility of wounded crewmen still being on or near the vehicles, Private First Class Mahl volunteered to direct his tank recovery crew in the recovery operations. With calm disregard for murderous sniper and mortar fire bursting about him, he continually exposed himself to direct the maneuvering of the retriever to the first half-track and towed it out of the area. Once this vehicle and the wounded crewman inside were brought to safety, he unhesitatingly returned through the concentrated mortar barrages and small arms fire for the other disabled carrier and towed it out of danger. As a result of his fearlessness, several lives were saved and valuable equipment was prevented from falling into enemy hands. Private First Class Mahl’s courageous action, daring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Artillery.