Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

Headquarters, V Corps, G. O. No. 34

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

January 17th, 1945

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Walter M. Robertson (0-3378), Major General, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while Commanding the 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 December 1944, in Belgium. When the initial thrusts of a full-scale German counter offensive threatened the right flank of his division, Major General Robertson, fully aware of the urgency of the situation, personally assumed command of the defense of a vital road junction to delay the enemy long enough for his troops to take up defensive positions. Within an hour the first hostile tanks appeared 600 yards away and were immediately taken under fire on Major General Robertson's orders. Braving intense artillery and direct tank fire, he remained in complete observation of the enemy to supervise the disposition of his troops and to direct the fire of his own tanks and tank destroyers. After two hours of vicious fighting, many German tanks and vehicles were destroyed and the armored thrust in this sector was thwarted. As reinforcements arrived, Major General Robertson proceeded immediately to a second critical area where another salient was threatening two villages along the main route of the enemy advance. He organized troops from his own command and stragglers from elements overrun by the powerful attack and, for a period of seven hours, heroically led them in deterring the advance. Constantly exposed to intense fire from tanks, machine guns and small arms, Major General Robertson, by his personal direction and his calm and collected demeanor, successfully rallied his men to hold their ground tenaciously. His presence among the foremost elements of his command, his exemplary courage and his self-assurance were primarily responsible for knitting the scattered troops into a cohesive fighting force and checking the forward drive of the enemy spearhead. Major General Robertson's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.


HQ, First U.S. Army, GO 10, January 17th, 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the 2d Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945."

War Department, General Orders No. 15

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

U.S. Delegate, Allied Control Commission for Bulgaria, Allied Forces

Awarded on:

October 14th, 1947

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as U.S. Delegate to the Allied Control Commission for Bulgaria, from March 1946 to September 1947."

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 7 (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead", U.S. Army

Major-General Walter M. Robertson was awarded the Bronze Star for his spirited defence in front of Elsenborn Ridge during the Battle of the Bulge.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead", U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 2d Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)