The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Robert B. Curpinski, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Engineer Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 December 1950. Serving as a Medical Corpsman assigned to a platoon assisting in the defense of a strategic position. Hospitalman Curpinski displayed outstanding courage and initiative in the performance of his duties when the unit was attacked during hours of darkness by a numerically superior enemy force. Fearlessly and with complete disregard for his personal safety exposing himself to withering enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, he courageously moved continuously through the position rendering aid to the casualties and removing them to covered positions. When the platoon was ordered to break contact with the enemy, he unhesitatingly returned to the area, despite the fact that the enemy had actually penetrated the positions, and aided in carrying two wounded comrades to safety. His great personal bravery and outstanding devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who observed him. Hospitalman Curpinski’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.