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SUBJECT: Award of the Silver Star Medal.
TO : Second Lieutenant Robert L. Sickler, O-1317113, 508th
Parachute Infantry, A.P.O. 469, U. S. Army.
Under the provisions of AR 6--—45» as amended, and
pursuant to authority contained in letter 2O0.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII
Corps, dated 31 August 1944, the Silver Star Medal is awarded to the
following named individual:
CITATION:
ROBERT L. SICKLER, O-1317113, Second Lieutenant, 508th
Parachute Infantry. For gallantry in action on 1 October 1944 at VOXHIL,
HOLLAND. Second Lieutenant Sickler, a platoon leader, Company "D", 508th
Parachute Infantry, conducted the defense of his platoon position in his
company sector with such courage and intrepidity that his platoon held its
position and beat back a fierce enemy attack. German forces, estimated at
one battalion of infantry reinforced by medium tanks and armored personnel
carriers, attacked the Second Battalion MLR under an extremely heavy
artillery barrage. Second Lieutenant SICKLER's orders were to defend in
place. When the left flank of his platoon position became exposed and enemy
began to infiltrate to the rear of Company "D", Second Lieutenant SICKLER
led a small group which succeeded in covering the exposed flank and blocked
further attempts by the enemy to penetrate this position. Under heavy
artillery and automatic weapons fire, he moved continually about the exposed
area attempting to spot small parties of the enemy who were infiltrating to
the rear. At all times during; the attack, Second Lieutenant SICKLER acted
with much aggressiveness and showed a great determination to defend his
position against attack from any direction. His courageous and intensive
efforts enabled his platoon to repel the enemy attack and contributed a
vital service in the defense of the Second Battalion MLR. Entered military
service from NEW JERSEY.
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