Brigadier General Robert D Stevenson
US ARMY
Infantry 27 years
Distinguished Service Cross | Silver Star Medal | Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal with V Device | Purple Heart | Air Medal (21 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Korean War | Vietnam War
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Brigadier General Robert "Barbed Wire Bob" Stevenson was the last of the breed of truly self-made American soldiers. Starting as a trainee and advancing on merit and ability to become the youngest general officer in the U.S. Army in 1972.
General Stevenson enlisted in the army as a private after high school graduation in 1948. In the Korean War, he participated in the conflict's first airborne operation with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Later he was awarded a Silver Star for rescuing wounded comrades while under fire. Due to his exemplary performance as a noncommissioned officer, General Stevenson was selected for Officers Candidate School at Ft. Benning Georgia.
In 1966 General Stevenson deployed to Republic of Viet Nam to the First Cavalry division. In March 1967, while serving as a battalion commander, General Stevenson won the Distinguish Service Cross for the actions at Phu Ninh, Republic of Viet Nam, during Operation Pershing. In 1970, General Stevenson attended helicopter flight school as a Lt. Colonel and again deployed to the Republic of Viet Nam to serve as a Brigade Commander with the First Cavalry Division.
As a General Officer in the 1970s, General Stevenson served as Deputy Director Military Personnel Management and Commander of the Berlin Brigade.
Robert D. Stevenson
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 1st Cavalry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2791 (June 10, 1967)
CITATION:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2791 (June 10, 1967)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Robert D. Stevenson (ASN: 0-70515), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Lieutenant Colonel Stevenson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 March 1967 while commanding the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry during an engagement with a large enemy force near Phu Ninh. Throughout the afternoon of the battle, he dauntlessly exposed himself to intense ground fire to direct the action from his command and control helicopter. Even after the aircraft sustained several hits, Colonel Stevenson continued to fly at low altitude over the ravaged area to ensure mission accomplishment. When one of his company commanders was killed and the situation rapidly deteriorated, he disregarded the mounting dangers and landed amidst a hail of hostile fire. Colonel Stevenson fearlessly moved about the battlefield, and comforted the casualties and shouted encouragement to the troops. As darkness fell, he consolidated the company perimeter and directed the collection of dead and wounded at a central point. Throughout the night, he commanded the battalion from his forward position and called for supporting fires and illumination devices which enabled the medevac aircraft to extract the wounded. Only when a new company commander was brought in the following morning did Colonel Stevenson leave the battle area. His great presence of mind and courageous example during the entire engagement saved many lives and were an immeasurable inspiration to his men as they repulsed the insurgent attack. Lieutenant Colonel Stevenson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Military Times Hall of Valor
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