The President of the United States, 

takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL (V) to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT T. MOFFATT

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following 

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as an Assistant Machine Gunner, Company M, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 April 1967, PFC Moffatt’s company (-) attacked to secure Hill 881 South, which was defended by a numerically superior enemy with extensive bunker systems and pre-registered fires. The Marines sustained casualties of over 75 percent (27 KIA and 50 WIA). The hill was a deadly killing zone. Every automatic and heavy weapon Marine was either killed or wounded. All who advanced or stood more than three feet high became targets and casualties. The Platoon Leader was killed instantly; the command element decimated. The junior Marines began small unit, individual, and independent coordinated fights for survival. PFC Moffatt was an assistant machine gunner until his Gunner was mortally wounded providing suppressive fires for an assault. The assault temporarily faltered until PFC Moffat unhesitatingly took charge of the machine gun and continued suppressive fires. He instinctively knew that he would be targeted immediately, but he knew the Marines needed protective fires to sustain the assault. Although serious injury or certain death would most likely result, PFC Moffatt fired relentlessly until he predictably sustained severe heads wounds, which required over a year of hospitalization and reconstructive surgeries. His total disregard for his own life and safety and his suppressive fires for the attacking Marines saved Marine lives and the assault. Unhesitatingly, he exposed himself to extreme danger to take charge during a critical phase of the assault. PFC Moffatt inspired his unit by his selfless and courageous actions. He demonstrated the essence of combat leadership and junior Marine initiative. PFC Moffatt’s extraordinary heroism reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.  

For the President

Ray Maybus

Secretary of the Navy