The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert C. Palmer (ASN: 36071364), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, 23 September 1944. While on a dismounted reconnaissance mission, the Third Platoon, *** Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), was pinned down on a sunken road bed by an intense concentration of heavy enemy machine gun fire. Private Palmer, acting on his own initiative and with utter disregard for his personal safety, advanced into plain view of the enemy and opened fire upon them with his light machine gun, which he was carrying in his hand. The determination of Private Palmer’s advance and the effectiveness of his fire was so intense that the enemy was forced to withdraw. Private Palmer’s gallant action saved his entire platoon from possible annihilation, enabled it to carry out its assigned mission, and reflects the highest credit on his character as a soldier.