The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert W. Wilson (ASN: 35398514), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 7 August 1944 to 12 August 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant Wilson was a member of an infantry battalion which from 7 august 1944 to 12 August 1944 was completely isolated on Hill 314 at Mortain, France, in a desperate attempt by the enemy to divide the American Forces in Brittany from those in Normandy. On 7 August 1944 Staff Sergeant Wilson and a comrade voluntarily proceeded across open ground, covered by sniper fire, to reconnoiter a wooded area held by the enemy in order to recover stores of mortar ammunition left there the previous day. Together these two men led their entire section and recovered the ammunition so vital to their courageous stand against the enemy. On 8 August 1944 he established a forward observation post on an exposed rocky ledge, laying communications wire as he proceeded over high ground, and for the next four days directed mortar fire from this exposed position. On 12 August 1944 American planes dropped supplies to this isolated battalion only to have many of the supplies fall into enemy territory. Knowing that their ultimate survival made it necessary that those supplies be recovered, Staff Sergeant Wilson and his comrade again led a patrol into enemy territory to recover these vital supplies. The superior leadership, initiative, and bravery displayed by Staff Sergeant Wilson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.