Rank: Sergeant
Unit: C Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11B – Infantryman
Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 18-Nov-1950
Hometown: Tarzana, California
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 30-Jan-1969
Start of tour: 27-Feb-1970
Incident date: 11-Jun-1970
Date of casualty: 11-Jun-1970
Age at death: 19
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
Robert Charles McAndrew was killed while on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. / On ambush patrol. Engaged hostile force in firefight.
Location of fatality: Cambodia, XU 443 075
Place of interment: San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA
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SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT ROBERT CHARLES McANDREW
11 JUNE 1970
C TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant McAndrew distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 11 June 1970 while serving as a Vehicle Commander with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while searching a bunker complex with other members of the troop, he came under intense enemy small arms fire. Immediately, Sergeant McAndrew fired on the enemy with his individual weapon and started to maneuver towards their position. When one of the other members of the patrol received a serious wound Sergeant McAndrew attempted to aid the soldier, at the risk of his own safety. The enemy continued placing heavy fire upon them, yet he initiated an assault of the bunkers using his individual weapon. After eliminating numerous enemy soldiers, Sergeant McAndrew continued to maneuver toward the injured man. While attempting to accomplish this task, it was necessary for him to cross another enemy position. As he did so he received fatal shrapnel wounds from an enemy mine. Sergeant McAndrew’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 2932 (13 July 1970)