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 Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Robert V. Maxwell, Jr. (ASN: 0-5428206), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Maxwell distinguished himself on 15 May 1968 while serving as a Forward Observer with Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, while at the base of Hill 352, his company came under an intense hostile mortar barrage and machine gun and other automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Maxwell immediately left his covered position, and with complete disregard for the enemy fire, moved to higher ground with a radio to call in artillery. Almost immediately he received a fragment wound in the left knee, but he refused medical aid and remained exposed to adjust the artillery fire. With complete disregard for his painful wound, he moved about the perimeter adjusting artillery and air strikes. While moving to another observation point, he was wounded again, receiving a shrapnel wound in the left arm. Although his condition was considerably worse, he still refused medical aid or evacuation, and he kept moving around the perimeter through the heavy fire, adjusting the artillery and air strikes. Second Lieutenant Maxwell’s heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.