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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert Knapp Henderson, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 26 March 1970. Lieutenant Henderson was serving as platoon leader of the third platoon with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of South Vietnam. On 26 March 1970, Alpha Troop and attached infantry company volunteered to rescue Charlie Company, Second Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, a unit that was surrounded by a North Vietnamese battalion and that faced annihilation within hours. The trapped infantry company had no chance of withdrawal on its own, reinforcement by air was impossible, its ammunition was dwindling and it already had incurred most of the 37 wounded and 3 killed that it would suffer that day. Charlie Company was pinned down by intense machine gun, rifle and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a large fortified bunker complex and by its immobile casualties. Upon reaching the embattled infantry unit, Alpha Troop and its attached infantry company unhesitatingly confronted the enemy and shielded the survivors of Charlie Company from further harm. Alpha Troop then executed a valiant assault into the entrenched bunker complex, directing fierce tank and machine gun fire toward camouflaged North Vietnamese positions. Hostile automatic weapons, recoilless rifle and rocket-propelled grenade fire was intense as the enemy, probably outnumbering Alpha Troop three to one, defended itself with extreme determination. One hour after the assault began, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the tank of Lieutenant Henderson’s platoon sergeant, killing the sergeant and removing his powerful vehicle from the battle. Although tragically deprived of his principal subordinate and his firepower, Lieutenant Henderson courageously remained in command, continued to direct his troopers in concentrating suppressive fire against a powerful enemy barrage of rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons. Throughout the battle, his valor was instrumental in the third platoon’s leading all of Alpha Troop in the advance against the entrenched enemy. As the desperate firefight raged, Lieutenant Henderson dismounted to direct the salvaging of critical equipment from a destroyed vehicle that was to be left on the battlefield. Repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire, he was painfully wounded in the leg by declined to be treated. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Henderson continued in command of his platoon through the conclusion of the battle and disengagement. When Alpha Troop prepared to withdraw, his concern for his fellow troopers was demonstrated again as, under continuing fire at the casualty collection point, he supervised the recovery of casualties and ensured their timely evacuation for medical treatment. Lieutenant Henderson’s conspicuous gallantry was instrumental in the rescue of 100 surrounded infantrymen who otherwise would have been killed or captured within hours. His leadership of the platoon that led the troop’s attack was an inspiration to the soldiers around him, encouraging them to continue fighting despite determined resistance by an entrenched enemy force. Lieutenant Henderson’s resolute conduct on the field of battle and disregard for his own safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his troop and the United States Army.