The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Robert Gooding McMaster (MCSN: 0-10953), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 21 June 1945. Demonstrating outstanding courage and fighting spirit, Captain McMaster skillfully directed the movements of his company over bitterly contested areas and through intense hostile fire. During the critical phase of the attack against strategic high ground on southern Okinawa which was strongly held by well-emplaced enemy troops, he continued to lead his company, although wounded by Japanese fire, braving the intense machine-gun and mortar fire as he moved among the platoons to direct their movements and encourage the men. By his coolness and determination under fire, Captain McMaster contributed materially to the destruction of the enemy strongholds with a minimum of casualties in his company. His aggressive leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1965 – September 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Robert Gooding McMaster (MCSN: 0-10953), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a Joint Staff Officer in the Office of the Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from July 1965 to September 1968. During this period, Colonel McMaster consistently demonstrated extraordinary professional competence, devotion to duty and initiative in monitoring and analyzing national security aspects of political/military conflict developments in the Latin American, Middle Eastern and East African areas and providing within these areas, analyses and evaluations of United States policies, proposals and programs, existing or tentative, particularly in the field of counterinsurgency. Colonel McMaster’s efforts in carrying out these actions, many of them interdepartmental in nature, enhanced significantly the national level staff support, civilian and military alike, concerned with these areas of critically and involving vital United States national interests. By his outstanding professional skill, sound judgment and zealous devotion to duty, Colonel McMaster reflected great credit upon himself, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.