The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert B. Firm (MCSN: 0-17972), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 22 January, 1944. Starting out on a dangerous scouting mission, First Lieutenant Firm waded across a river and ran along a beach under fire of both light and heavy enemy machine guns in order to gain information concerning hostile installations. Daringly working his way among a group of Japanese weapons, he made valuable observations of the enemy positions and killed at close quarters a three-man crew of one of the hostile machine guns. Returning to friendly lines with his vitally important, he skillfully directed mortar and artillery fire on the enemy emplacements, enabling our forces to wipe out the Japanese on Natamo Point. Firs Lieutenant Firm’s aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.