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 Specialist Fourth Class Robert E. Coventry, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 7 July 1969, while serving as a Medic with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a reconnaissance operation, the troop came under intense small arms, automatic weapons, machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a well-concealed enemy force. In the initial contact a vehicle near Specialist Coventry received a direct rocket-propelled grenade hit, wounding all of the crew members. Disregarding his own safety, he ran through the hostile fusillade to aid the casualties. Continuing to expose himself to the enemy fire, he administered aid to the most critically wounded man. While helping to evacuate the casualty, Specialist Coventry was wounded seriously when a rocket-propelled grenade impacted nearby. Despite his wounds he continued to aid the other wounded personnel. He did not consent to board an evacuation helicopter until he had ensured that all of the other casualties had been given the necessary aid and had been evacuated. Specialist Fourth Class Coventry’s courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.