The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert Emmett Kellington, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 June 1969, Sergeant Kellington was serving as a fire team leader with his unit on a reconnaissance in force operation seven miles north of Bien Hoa. As the friendly force proceeded through the treacherous region, it was suddenly subjected to an intense automatic weapons, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenade fusillade from an undetermined size insurgent unit. Acting with tactical deliberation, Sergeant Kellington immediately deployed his men into strategic positions and directed their devastating suppressive fire on the aggressor emplacements. Observing several wounded comrades lying in an exposed area, Sergeant Kellington unhesitatingly crawled through the hostile fire to the aid of his fallen companions. Although painfully wounded by the insurgent fusillade, he carried the casualties to the medical evacuation zone. When one of the wounded soldiers collapsed from exhaustion, Sergeant Kellington applied emergency artificial respiration and succeeded in reviving the seriously wounded man. Once assured of the safety of all the casualties, he assisted in providing security for the rapid extraction of the wounded personnel to the medical facilities. His courageous initiative and selfless concern for the welfare of his men significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the encounter and were instrumental in saving several friendly lives. Sergeant Kellington’s unquestionable valor while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an insurgent force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.