Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Sergeant First Class Robert Christian Nelson (ASN: RA-19295337), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Sanjung-ni, Korea, on 4 February 1951. His company, having completed its mission of covering the withdrawal of a friendly unit, also received the order to withdraw. The enemy, meanwhile, had succeeded in infiltrating to the rear of the company’s position and when the withdrawal was begun, fierce hand-to-hand bayonet fighting ensued. Sergeant First Class Nelson, seeing that two enemy machine gun positions had been well dug in and were adding a further serious handicap to the movement of his platoon, unhesitatingly and completely on his own initiative, moved forward into a withering hail of enemy fire, crawling the last 25 feet and hurled hand grenades into the enemy positions. In the act of successfully silencing this opposition, he sacrificed his life. Sergeant Nelson’s courageous action aided immeasurable in the successful withdrawal of his company with minimum casualties. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant First Class Nelson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Infantry.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 328 (1951)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Sergeant First Class Robert Christian Nelson (ASN: RA-19295337), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Korea. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.