The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert S. Tsutsui (ASN: 0-1913365), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company M, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 and 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. When the rifle company to which his machine gun platoon was attached was forced to give ground under heavy enemy pressure, Lieutenant Tsutsui, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved around the positions gathering up the scattered and disorganized men, and then led them in a furious counterattack against the enemy penetration. Although subjected to a hail of intense small arms, automatic weapons, grenade and mortar fire, Lieutenant Tsutsui and his men overran the enemy and restored the positions. He immediately organized the position for defense and during the repeated attacks that followed remained completely exposed to the intense enemy fire as he moved from one position to the other directing the men and encouraging them. Once, coming face to face with three enemy soldiers in the dark, he killed two with his trench knife and ran the other into a mine field. All during the night-long action Lieutenant Tsutsui personally treated the wounded and evacuated them, no aidman being present. The gallantry and inspiring leadership displayed by Lieutenant Tsutsui reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.