The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Robert D. Gerstenecker (ASN: 37568509), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Detachment, 34th Infantry Division, in action on 2 July 1944, in Cecina, Italy. As a result of fierce street fighting in the town, Private Gerstenecker was sent forward of the Battalion Aid Station with a litter squad to recover and evacuate a seriously wounded soldier, but the mortar and small arms fire was so intense that the squad was pinned down. Knowing that in order to save the man’s life he would have to reach him immediately, Private Gerstenecker left his squad and crawled through the intense fire, reached the wounded man, placed him on his back and carried him a distance of one thousand yards, without pause, to the Battalion Aid Station. The extreme courage and determination displayed by Private Gerstenecker in saving this man’s life was an inspiration to all who observed him.