The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Robert Masaru Takeo (ASN: 30100574), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 6 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. During a dawn attack, Staff Sergeant Takeo’s squad was given the mission of securing the exposed right flank of his platoon. While he led his men toward the assigned position, a force of approximately fifty Germans, armed with machine guns, machine pistols and rifles, and supported by mortar fire, launched a counterattack. Directing his men to follow him, Staff Sergeant Takeo crawled forward exposed to heavy machine gun and sniper fire. Advancing toward the enemy he was shot in the right arm by a sniper. Without stopping for first aid, Staff Sergeant Takeo continued his advance in the face of deadly enemy fire and reached a vantage point where he located the positions of the sniper and the machine gun. Inspired by his coolness, his men followed him, crawled to his side and formed a firing line. While designating the locations of the enemy to his men, Staff Sergeant Takeo was mortally wounded. In the ensuing engagement, his men knocked out the sniper and machine gun nest and opened fire on the approaching enemy. Despite his wounds, Staff Sergeant Takeo fired his sub-machine gun at the enemy until his death. Inspired by the courage of their leader, his men fought with determination and successfully repulsed the counterattack. Staff Sergeant Takeo’s intrepidity and indomitable fighting spirit are exemplary of the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Untied States.