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 First Class Robert E. Pollard (ASN: 39051124), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in France. At 0430 hours on 3 February 1945, near Ostholm, France, when his platoon was halted by intensive machine gun fire, Private First Class Pollard, BAR Man, single-handedly braved fire which struck the stock of his BAR to engage and silence the enemy gun. Knocked off his feet by an aerial burst, he recovered, rallied the wavering and disorganized platoon and prodded it through the impact area. He then advanced alone on a German y trench, killed four and wounded six Germans with BAR fire, dueled and killed a sniper, and then led his men into Biesheim and fought off a six-man enemy patrol. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Pollard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.