Sergeant ROBERT D. ROBERTS, (then Corporal), Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company “G”, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Yonchon, Korea on 8 June 1951. As Company “G”, the right company of a battalion attack against Hill 541, was attacking in a column of platoons along the top of a ridgeline which led into the final objective, its leading platoon was suddenly subjected to a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from the enemy dug in on one of the many knobs astride the company’s route of advance. Completely disorganized, the leading platoon started to fall back. Sergeant Robert’s platoon which was next in the column, attempted to deploy and return the enemy’s fire. Sergeant Roberts gave up his rifle to an assistant, seized an abandoned light machine gun and a full belt of ammunition. Throwing the loose end of the ammunition belt over his shoulder, he sprang to his feet, and in complete disregard for his own safety, moved forward and up the knoll. Firing the machine-gun from his hip, he ignored the enemy fire directed at him and a flesh wound which he sustained. Yelling at the top of his voice, and keeping a steady volume of fire directed at the enemy, he pressed forward. As he neared the top of the knoll, the enemy under this onslaught abandoned their position and retired. The men of Company “G” who witnessed the one-man assault, were so inspired that they moved forward and joined sergeant Roberts in the final assault as he reached the top of the knoll. The spontaneous initiative, unflinching courage, and aggressive action exhibited by Sergeant Roberts reflect the greatest credit on himself and the military service.

Mr. Roberts joined the Legion of Valor in 2006 and resides in Tennesee.