AmVets Post 513
MONTEZUMA, NY
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MEDALS
In 1969 Robert's family was invited to Washington, DC to accept the Nations highest Military award on his behalf “THE MEDAL OF HONOR” was Posthumously awarded to his father, Harold Stryker, also attending the ceremony was his sister, Leola and her husband, Louis Vasile and brother, John (Jack) and his wife, Sharon Stryker.
The Citation reads as follows:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4 Stryker, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. SP4 Stryker was serving as a grenadier in a multi-company reconnaissance in force near Loc Ninh. As his unit moved through the dense underbrush, it was suddenly met with a hail of rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire from enemy forces concealed in fortified bunkers and in the surrounding trees. Reacting quickly, SP4 Stryker fired into enemy positions with his grenade launcher. During the devastating exchange of fire SP4 Stryker detected enemy elements attempting to encircle his company and isolate it from the main body of the friendly force. Undaunted by the enemy machinegun and small-arms fire, SP4 Stryker repeatedly fired grenades into the trees, killing enemy snipers and enabling his comrades to sever the attempted encirclement. As the battle continued, SP4 Stryker observed several wounded members of his squad in the killing zone of an enemy claymore mine. With complete disregard for his safety, he threw himself upon the mine as it was detonated. He was mortally wounded as his body absorbed the blast and shielded his comrades from the explosion. His unselfish actions were responsible for saving the lives of at least 6 of his fellow soldiers. SP4 Stryker’s great personal bravery was in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.
Robert Stryker also received the following Medals:
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation (Valor), National Defense
Army of Occupation, Vietnam Service, RVN Military Merit, Vietnam Campaign
Combat Infantry Badge
February 27, 2002, The Army formally named its new Interim Armored Vehicle the “STRYKER” in a ceremony at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Stryker, the combat vehicle of choice for the Army’s Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs, now known as Stryker Brigades) is a highly deployable-wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility, with reduced logistics requirements.
The vehicle was named after two Medal of Honor recipients: PFC. Stuart S. Stryker, who served in WWII, and Sp4 ROBERT F. STRYKER, who served in Vietnam. These two great soldiers were separated by a generation and fought on battlefields on opposite sides of the globe; both made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and fellow soldiers.