The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert B. Veech (ASN: 35703194), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Detachment, *** Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 17 December 1944, in Belgium. Private First Class Veech was serving as a surgical technician in the medical detachment of his battalion when on the morning of 17 December 1944 the Battalion was displacing to the rear before the advance of German forces. He was riding on a truck with a number of men from his battalion when it was fired upon by German tanks near Schenberg, Belgium. As the truck could not be turned around in the narrow road, all personnel dismounted form it and started to escape on foot. A short distance from the truck, one of the party fell, apparently wounded, and could not move. Although the Germans were firing at the escaping men without discrimination as to individuals, Private First Class Veech unhesitatingly gave up all efforts to escape and accompanied by Technician Fourth Grade Gerhart, returned to render medical attention to the wounded man, and was last seen beside him by members of the party who made their way to safety. His intrepidity and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.