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 Staff Sergeant Robert M. Russell (ASN: 37459260), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, on 19 May 1945. Staff Sergeant Russell was a member of a patrol assigned the mission of establishing contact with an infantry regiment at Mintal. Upon reaching a point on the Talomo River 1,500 yards from Mintal, the patrol encountered an enemy strong point and was fired upon by two light machine guns and some snipers. While the patrol was pinned down by their intense fire, a numerically superior enemy force of approximately 50 riflemen maneuvered to cut them off from the rear, forcing the patrol to abandon its present route. The only route available that would enable the patrol to successfully continue on its mission was across the deep, swift-flowing Talomo River. As the patrol moved toward the bank, the enemy pressed forward fiercely but were repelled repeatedly by the patrol’s rear guard action. Staff Sergeant Russell, realizing the urgency of locating a possible route to cross the river descended the steep bank to reconnoiter for a place where the river could be forded. Unable to find a safe, shallow point, he jumped into the river, braved the strong current, and swam to the other side. He then cut a long pole and pulled the members of the patrol, one at a time, across the hazardous river to safety. While the patrol leader was reorganizing the patrol at the assembly area, Staff Sergeant Russell undertook a personal reconnaissance to select a route by which the patrol could reach its objective. While still searching out the terrain, he was killed by a hidden enemy machine gun. Staff Sergeant Russell’s calm presence of mind and his initiative and heroic devotion to duty were major factors in the ultimate successful accomplishment of the patrol’s mission. The exceptional courage and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Russell in the heroic actions which cost him his life were in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.