The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Robert Avera Turner, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 6 May 1970. Major Turner distinguished himself while serving as a member of a command group during the defense of Fire Support Base HENDERSON, Republic of Vietnam. Despite intense enemy mortar fire, Major Turner landed at the firebase and moved from position to position assessing battle damage and directing the defense of the firebase. He left the firebase and returned with badly needed medical supplies. As he leaped to the ground from the hovering aircraft, hostile mortar rounds impacted near his position. Despite the enemy fire, he unloaded the medical supplies and carried them to a medical aid station. As Major Turner entered the firebase’s tactical operations center, he was wounded by an impacting mortar round which seriously wounded two other members of the command group. Despite his own wounds, Major Turner administered first aid to his wounded comrades and subjected himself once again to hostile fire to carry a wounded soldier to the landing pad for medical evacuation. Major Turner’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.