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 O. Sumner (ASN: 20725223), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Normandy, France, 11 July 1944. When the advance of his platoon was held up by enemy machine gun fire, Private Sumner crawled for one hundred yards to a position from which he threw hand grenades to destroy the machine gun position. In returning to his organization, he discovered two of his comrades seriously wounded, and lying exposed to enemy mortar fire falling in that vicinity. Disregarding his personal safety, he proceeded to administer first aid to the wounded and to evacuate them to a position of safety. The tenacity of purpose and unselfish loyalty reflects great credit upon Private Sumner and furnishes inspiration to his comrades in arms. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.