The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert R. Jensen (MCSN: 1641814), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Company A was engaged in a patrol in the A Shau Valley when it came under a heavy attack by an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion-size force utilizing small arms, automatic weapons, and mortars. Displaying outstanding leadership abilities when the platoon commander was wounded, Staff Sergeant Jensen skillfully coordinated the assault upon the well-defended enemy position. Moving throughout the area, he offered words of encouragement to his men, supervised the evacuation of the wounded, and indicated principal targets to his light anti-tank assault weapons men. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy fire as he advanced across the hazardous terrain, firing his rifle at enemy snipers. Leading his platoon through enemy machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Jensen attacked and overran the hostile automatic weapons bunker, subsequently ensuring the maximum utilization of the machine gun against the enemy, and fought his way into the heart of the enemy defensive position. His heroic efforts and bold initiative contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and the killing of more than 105 enemy soldiers with minimal friendly casualties. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Jensen won the respect and admiration of all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.