Robert E. Mackey

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 11794
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert E. Mackey (MCSN: 857807), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Member of a Reconnaissance Party of Company A, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Marianas Islands, 24 July 1944.
Landing with an assault company to reconnoiter a route of approach for the assault tanks to the front lines, Private First Class Mackey braved severe enemy fire to accomplish his mission successfully. Although painfully wounded by shrapnel, he resolutely returned to the beach and led eighteen tanks over a hazardous coral beach to the assigned objective, refusing to be evacuated until it was ordered three days later by his Commanding Officer.
By his determination, courage and zealous devotion to duty Private First Class Mackey contributed essentially to the success of this vital engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.