The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Robert O. Deutschendorf (ASN: 33699063), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, *** Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 30 May 1944, near Campolesse, Italy. Shortly after leaving the line of departure in an attack on enemy positions Company A was subjected to extremely heavy enemy small arms, artillery, and mortar fire which caused many casualties. In spite of this fire and the open terrain, Sergeant Deutschendorf and three others kept pressing forward and advanced to a position some 500 yards ahead of the assault platoon, where they met stubborn resistance from an enemy machine gun. Leaving the others to cover him while he attacked the enemy emplacement with grenades Sergeant Deutschendorf succeeded in rendering the gun useless and killing the crew. Sergeant Deutschendorf’s gallantry and determination reflect high credit on the Armed Forces.