The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Apprentice First Class Robert J. Betz (NSN: 8593933), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Corpsman with the FIRST Marine Division in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 13 April 1945. While in combat against enemy forces Hospital Apprentice First Class Betz, attached to a Rifle Company, which was pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun fire where several men were wounded, without regard for his own safety, ran from man to man exposing himself constantly to enemy small arms fire to give first aid to the wounded men in the area. During the action Hospital Corpsman First Class Betz was seriously wounded but continued trying to aid the injured and refused to be evacuated until orders were given that he receive treatment. His conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.