The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert Vanas (MCSN: 1303769), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Assistant Machine Gunner of Company H, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 March 1953. When the bunker which he was occupying well forward of the main line of resistance received a direct hit, wounding the gunner, during an intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage accompanied by onrushing hostile troops, Private First Class Vanas removed his wounded comrade from the position and returned to man the weapon alone, maintaining a constant hail of fire until knocked down by an enemy concussion grenade. Although painfully wounded, he again returned to the weapon and killed three of the enemy at point-blank range. When another direct hit rendered his position useless, he carried the machine gun to the main trench where he observed more of the hostile troops attempting to gain the trench line to his rear. With the extremely hot barrel of the weapon painfully burning his hands, he fired into the enemy until they withdrew, thereby allowing his comrades to reoccupy the position. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Private First Class Vanas served to inspire all who observed him and was largely responsible for the successful defense of the outpost, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.