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 F. Austin (ASN: 121167071), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 92d Infantry Division, in action on 7 April 1945, in Italy. The platoon with which Private First Class Austin was making an advance against the enemy was covered by devastating cross fire from small arms and automatic weapons. Their position was then shelled by mortar and artillery fire, causing numerous casualties. When his platoon sergeant was seriously wounded and fell in an area exposed to direct machine gun and sniper fire, Private First Class Austin, without thought of his own life, voluntarily left his place of safety, with his platoon officer, to crawl through a hail of fire to the wounded soldier. Together they slipped a poncho beneath him and dragged him back to a protected position where they rendered first aid. The courage and gallantry of Private First Class Austin in the face of great danger was instrumental in saving the life of one fellow soldier and also contributed immeasurably to the morale of those about him at the time.