The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Robert E. Burke (ASN: 0-1285186), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, *** Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, on 22 November 1944, in the vicinity of Fort Plapperville, France. On the morning of 22 November 1944, elements of the *** Infantry Regiment solicited the surrender of Fort Plapperville garrison over a public address system whose installation was arranged by Major Burke, Regimental S-2. The Germans were instructed to send a delegation out to meet Major Burke, and an enlisted interpreter, at a place visible to both forces. When no German delegation appeared a second broadcast was made. Shortly a bottle was thrown from inside the Fort to the Regiment. It contained a note requesting Major Burke to proceed to a place under German observation only. Disregarding the obvious hazard involved, Major Burke and his interpreter complied. At the rendezvous, a German Colonel was waiting. Major Burke asked for the surrender of the Fort, informing the enemy officer that air support was available to bomb the Fort into submission if the Germans refused to surrender. The German Colonel laughed and stated that his orders were to hold the fort to the last man. Further negotiation proving futile, Major Burke returned, under continual observation and fire, to his Regiment. The high personal courage and gallant devotion to duty displayed by Major Burke on this occasion served as an inspiration to all who witnessed his actions, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.