The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert B. Metcalfe (MCSN: 0-39605), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Battery G, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), and serving as a Forward Observer of an Infantry Company in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 May 1951. When a numerically superior enemy force attacked the company position under cover of darkness and directed the main brunt of the three-hour assault on his observation post, First Lieutenant Metcalfe effectively defended his sector in the face of withering hostile fire. Continuing to call down devastating artillery fire on the attackers, he was instrumental in inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy, closing off the opposition’s reinforcement and withdrawal route and forcing large numbers of the hostile troops to surrender to counterattacking friendly forces. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Metcalfe contributed in large measure to the successful defense of the strategic ground and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.