The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Robert L. Callaham (MCSN: 2101141), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 December 19676, during Operation AUBURN, Company E came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and grenade launcher fire from a well entrenched force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars in Quang Nam Province. In the initial moments of the fire fight, the Marines were pinned down and sustained several casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Callaham unhesitatingly exposed himself to the heavy volume of fire to deploy his men and direct suppressive fire against the hostile positions. Fearlessly moving from one position to anther, he encouraged his men and skillfully emplaced his weapons to provide effective covering fire. Observing several wounded comrades lying in an area dangerously exposed to the enemy fire, he quickly organized a rescue team and supervised the evacuation of the casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly moved across the hazardous terrain forward of the Marine lines and, undaunted by the hostile fire around him, carried wounded comrades to positions of relative safety. Upon learning that a machine gun had been left unattended when its crew was evacuated after being wounded, he moved to the emplacement, which was close to an enemy position, and carried the weapon to the defensive perimeter. Fearlessly moving forward of friendly lines on several more occasions, he retrieved weapons, ammunition and equipment which had been dropped by casualties. His aggressive fighting spirit and calm presence of mind in the face of extreme personal danger were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of several fellow Marines. By his courage, superb leadership and unfaltering devotion to duty, Corporal Callaham contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.