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 (Infantry) Robert F. Yelton (ASN: 0-551154), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 25 January 1945, near Haguenau, France, while in command of his platoon which was attacking enemy positions, Lieutenant Yelton noticed that several men of his platoon were wounded by fire from enemy snipers. In order to enable his platoon sergeant to withdraw the wounded men to a position of safety, Lieutenant Yelton with utter disregard for his own safety exposed himself in order to draw the enemy fire from the wounded men. Although twice struck by enemy fire he continued to expose himself and to fire his own weapon so that the wounded men could be withdrawn until he was again struck and killed by enemy fire.