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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Alfred Theobald, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Executive Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), during the engagement with enemy Japanese forces north of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. When a flaming Japanese plane crashed on the forecastle of his ship, its torpedo exploding, Lieutenant Commander Theobald gallantly led a fire party to the scene despite fierce aerial attacks, finally extinguished the blaze, thereby enabling his ship to maintain her station in a carrier’s screen. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Theobald throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Action Date:

    September 22, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Robert Alfred Theobald, Jr., United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Commanding Officer of a Destroyer which was a unit of a Task Group returning from Finschhafen on 22 September 1943. This Task Group, composed of destroyers and tank landing ships, was attacked by ten enemy torpedo planes. Commander Theobald immediately brought his ship into action, took station in the most effective position to protect the convoy and by skillful maneuvering avoided all torpedoes. During this time his ship was repeatedly strafed by the enemy. He successfully repelled this attack, inflicting losses on the enemy, and brought his ship and convoy through unscathed except for slight damage due to machine gun fire. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.