The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Robert E. L. Flournoy, Jr. (ASN: 0-1019047), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, in action in the area of Liesel, Holland, on 29 October 1944. While he was serving as platoon leader, First Lieutenant Flournoy’s commanding officer was wounded by enemy action. Crawling through a curtain of fire to the stricken officer’s tank, First Lieutenant Flournoy took command of the company. As he was leading his men against hostile positions, his tank was disabled by a direct hit. Braving an intense barrage, he made his way back to his own vehicle and resumed the attack on the German emplacements. So intense was the enemy fire that his own tank was soon put out of action. After evacuating his crew under heavy fire, he continued directing his company from an exposed and unarmored vehicle, withdrawing slightly to the rear and reorganizing under cover of darkness. On the following day he resumed the attack at dawn, leading his men with renewed vigor against the German positions and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces. First Lieutenant Flournoy’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Armored Division, and the United States Army.