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 (Field Artillery) Robert S. Ward (ASN: 0-1184965), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Field Artillery Battalion, 83d Infantry Division, in action on 11 July 1944, near ****, France. A company of infantry moving forward in assault met very heavy fire from enemy infantry using automatic weapons and supported by a tank. Second Lieutenant Ward, as forward artillery observer, immediately called for artillery fire against the tank. Because of the high hedgerows and hull-down position of the tank, accurate direction of the artillery fire was extremely difficult. With utter disregard for his own safety, Second Lieutenant Ward went out into the open field, exposing himself to intense fire from both the tank and the accompanying enemy infantry, so that he might accurately observe the artillery fire. He repeated this action several times until the tank was destroyed by a direct hit. The company was thereby enabled to continue its advance. A short while later, while attempting to return from an exposed position to the radio to call for more artillery fire, Second Lieutenant Ward was fatally wounded. His coolness, devotion to duty, and outstanding personal bravery were a great credit to himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.