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 (Field Artillery) Robert D. Welch (ASN: 0-2200894), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 29 December 1952 in the vicinity of Koyangdae, North Korea. On that date Lieutenant Welch was attached to a Republic of Korea Infantry unit as an Artillery Forward Observer. Early in the evening on that date, an enemy force seized a friendly outpost and began placing mortars and machine guns into action from the captured position. Lieutenant Welch immediately called for artillery fire to be placed upon the hostile troops. In the ensuing action, the enemy directed a heavy concentration of mortar and machine gun fire upon the Forward Observation Post in an effort to silence the friendly fire directions. Realizing that the unobstructed enemy fire presented a grave threat to the friendly forces, Lieutenant Welch, with complete disregard for personal safety, remained in his exposed position and continued to adjust friendly artillery fire upon the enemy. It was during this action that he received mortal wounds from enemy machine gun fire. His selfless and courageous act enabled the friendly artillery to place effective fire upon the enemy, thus enabling the friendly unit to retake the outpost with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant Welch reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.