The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert D. Kurkjian (MCSN: 491057), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, Sixteenth Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, First Provisional Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. Quick to act when he observed several of the enemy advancing upon a stricken Marine who had fallen wounded before a Japanese cave, Private First Class Kurkjian left his covered position and, firing upon the enemy as he ran up the slope to the emplacement, succeeded in diverting hostile fire from his fellow comrade to himself. Although severely wounded, he courageously pressed on, killing two of the Japanese and forcing the remainder to withdraw into the cave before he fell, mortally wounded. By his daring and self-sacrificing action, Private First Class Kurkjian had enabled his comrades to rescue a wounded man who otherwise might have perished, and his devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.