The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Fireman Robert John Moras (NSN: 9178901), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 4 December 1967, during riverine operations against communist insurgents in the Republic of Vietnam. As port fifty-caliber machine gunner aboard Monitor 111-2, a unit of River Assault Squadron ELEVEN, operating in support of the 5th Battalion Vietnamese Marine Corps and the 2d Brigade, 9th United States Army Infantry Division, Fireman Moras participated in Mobile Riverine Force Operation CORONADO IX in the Mekong Delta region. His unit’s three-fold mission was to escort armored troops carriers transporting Vietnamese Marine personnel to the operations area, to provide them with close fire support, and to perform blocking operations to prevent the enemy’s escape. While proceeding up the Rach Ruong Canal, Monitor 111-2 came under heavy rocket, recoilless rifle, machine gun and small arms fire from prepared enemy positions along both sides of the canal. Fireman Moras commenced firing immediately and maintained a deadly suppressive fire into the enemy positions. Although seriously wounded when his boat sustained two B-40 rocket hits, he courageously refused to leave his mount and continued to lay devastating fire on the enemy positions until he was fatally wounded by a third rocket which hit directly on his machine gun mount. By his outstanding valor and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy fire, Fireman Moras upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.