The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Robert E. Lee Kilby (ASN: 40436), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Mihiel, France, 14 September 1918. Private Kilby volunteered to go with his company commander to reconnoiter a German trench before a contemplated advance. They encountered a German officer with seven men in the trench. Private Kilby successfully cleaned the trench and saved his captain’s life by his coolness and exceptional courage.