The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert H. Lauver (ASN: RA-13894587), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Lauver distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968, as the Squad Leader of a multiple machine gun mount of Battery G, 65th Artillery Regiment, 108th Artillery Group, during a combat operation with two Marine companies in the city of Hue. When a Marine tank was hit by a rocket, Sergeant Lauver ran through intense enemy sniper and automatic weapons fire to pull the seriously wounded driver to safety. He then returned to his gun and personally directed its fire, eliminating several enemy machine gun positions. After his squad fought its way to the Perfume River, Sergeant Lauver deployed his weapon on the south bank to support the Marines as they crossed a bridge. As the lead elements reached the north bank, they were pinned down by a massive wall of enemy fire. Realizing that they needed immediate heavy fire support, Sergeant Lauver led his squad across the bridge, delivering a devastating volume of accurate fire which destroyed most of the primary enemy positions. Through wounded in the leg by fragments of an enemy grenade which exploded nearby, he refused medical aid and assisted medics in the evacuation of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. Sergeant Lauver’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.