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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert Gallardo (ASN: 0-2262267), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 September 1950, in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. On that day the 9th Infantry Regiment was counterattacking a well-entrenched enemy force on the hills near the Naktong River. Company E was the assault company and had the job of securing Hill 201. As the leading platoons of Company E neared the hill they came under intense enemy artillery and mortar fire. Immediately Lieutenant Gallardo, a platoon leader, assumed command of the two lead platoons and encouraged them onward through deadly enemy fire in the assault on the hill. He was always in the lead elements of his unit while attacking three separate enemy positions with grenades and bayonets. Lieutenant Gallardo personally killed eight enemy with his accurate rifle fire. After the third attack he organized his platoons half way up the hill to wait for a supply of ammunition, but because of coming darkness he ordered his men to fix bayonets and to assault the summit of the hill. Upon nearing the top of the hill, the assaulting platoons were subjected to intense enemy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Gallardo, realizing the seriousness of the situation, ordered his men to withdraw to the base of the hill. With complete disregard for his personal safety he charged the enemy positions on the summit of the hill, and with accurate grenade end rifle fire covered the withdrawal of his platoons. Only after he was completely out of ammunition and grenades did he withdraw to his platoon’s position. Lieutenant Gallardo’s complete devotion to duty, outstanding courage, and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 25 – 26, 1950
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 631 (August 11, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert Gallardo (ASN: 0-2262267), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company E, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Gallardo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Ku-Jang-Dong, Korea, on the night of 25 – 26 November 1950. On that night, Company E bore the brunt of an attack by a large and determined hostile force. Although wounded early in this attack, Lieutenant Gallardo remained constantly with his platoon, encouraging his men and repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating enemy fire in order to go to the aid of the wounded. In the early morning hours, the enemy launched a fanatical mass attack that forced Lieutenant Gallardo’s platoon to withdraw part way down the slope. Immediately, he reorganized his men and led them in a counterattack, regaining the lost ground. In this action the company commander was seriously wounded and Lieutenant Gallardo, after personally evacuating him, took command of the company. Upon receiving orders to withdraw to better defensive positions, he recovered an abandoned truck and supervised the evacuation of all wounded personnel. Only after he was assured that the entire company had successfully moved to the new positions, did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. The selfless devotion to duty and extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Gallardo in this action reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.