The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Robert Lee Massengale, Jr. (ASN: RA-12290839), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 8 August 1952, Company L, 3d Battalion, of which Sergeant Massengale was a squad leader was assigned the mission of assaulting a position in the vicinity of Keyho-dong, Korea. As Sergeant Massengale led his men in engaging the enemy, the foe retaliated by subjecting the friendly forces to small arms and machine gun fire. Although wounded during the initial burst of opposing fire, he led his men in a frontal assault upon the enemy machine gun emplacements. After being evacuated, he refused medical attention and returned to the scene of conflict to continue leading his men. The increasing enemy fire finally forced him to seek cover. Upon hearing one of his men calling for an aid man, he immediately left his covered position and went to assist the casualty. Upon reaching the wounded man he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Massengale’s gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.