The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa and Sicily, during the period from April through August 1943. Although subjected to heavy enemy fire, Colonel York personally reconnoitered favorable positions for his battalion. His fearless and brilliant leadership under exceptionally adverse conditions, coupled with his keen tactical judgment, greatly assisted in the defeat of the enemy forces. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel York, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
33d Infantry RegimentDivision:
83d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
1944 – 1946
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 33d Infantry Regiment, 83d Infantry Division, from 1944 to 1946.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
331st Infantry RegimentDivision:
83d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 83d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 32 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 331st Infantry Regiment, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel York, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
18th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 8, 9, & 10, 1942
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 33 (December 7, 1942)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, at Saint Cloud, Algeria, 8, 9, and 10 November 1942. During the Oran offensive, on 8 November 1942, Major York, under constant fire by the enemy, encouraged and assisted the forward movement of his battalion. On 9 November 1942, Major York led a detachment of troops which succeeded in entering the town of Saint Cloud. This detachment was cut off for an entire day, but finally escaped under cover of darkness and rejoined its battalion. On the final day of the Oran offensive, Major York again directed his troops from the front lines under heavy enemy fire. During all three days of battle, Major York’s bravery and leadership, above the call of duty, were an inspiration and example to the men of his battalion. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major York, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant GeneralDivision:
XVIII Airborne CorpsAction Date:
August 1967 – July 1968
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 50 (September 26, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, EIGHTEENTH Airborne Corps, during the period from August 1967 through July 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General York and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
18th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 23 – 25, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 50 (July 9, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 23 to 25 March 1943, near El Guettar, Tunisia. In a determined attempt to smash the American offensive, more than 200 enemy tanks, half-tracks and armored vehicles assaulted the position of the 18th Infantry at dawn on 23 March. Lieutenant Colonel York, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, immediately initiated the dogged resistance of his troops by circulating freely among his men in the face of severe enemy artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. Although raked by machine gun and artillery fire from armored vehicles which at one time flanked his position and penetrated six miles to his rear, Lieutenant Colonel York moved without concern throughout his exposed battalion position to stiffen the resistance of his troops and direct their employment of rifle grenades, thereby accounting for several enemy vehicles at ranges of less than one hundred yards. Again that afternoon during an enemy assault, paced by savage dive-bombing attacks and supported by heavy machine gun, mortar and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel York’s battalion, although virtually exhausted after three days of constant fighting, successfully stopped the enemy thrust. The ability of this battalion to hold its position under overwhelming attack and thereby insure the success of later American operations in that sector was largely due to the courageous leadership and brave example of its Commander. Lieutenant Colonel York’s personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
82d Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1964 – 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Robert Howard York (ASN: 0-21341), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General York and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.