The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Robert Gonzales Burciaga (ASN: RA-18013250), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. The squad commanded by Sergeant Burciaga was part of a patrol which had the mission of neutralizing a hostile roadblock astride the battalion’s main supply route. The patrol, mounted on tanks, was brought under heavy enemy small arms fire, and had dismounted to return the hostile fire. Sergeant Burciaga deployed his men into a firing line and then assumed an exposed position from where he engaged the enemy until he was seriously wounded. Although his wound was critical and caused him intense pain he moved up and down his firing line, shouting words of encouragement to his men and inspiring them in their efforts to repel the enemy. As he directed his squad’s fire he was struck a second time by hostile fire and was killed. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Burciaga reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.