Robert Emerson Dare
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

Robert Emerson Dare was born on 5 March 1919 in Saint Paul, MN, the son of Fred and Cornelia Dare.

In July 1950, Sergeant First Class Robert Emerson Dare was serving as an Assistant Squad Leader in a platoon of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 20 July, SFC Dare's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Taejo, Korea, and his platoon was leading the company advance along the airport road. The platoon had to quickly disperse into rice paddies when it came under a cross-fire from six hostile tanks and an estimated enemy battalion. SFC Dare exposed himself to the intense fire to take command of the platoon. Displaying outstanding leadership and courage, he directed the fire of his machine-gun squad, reorganized the platoon, and ordered its withdrawal to a defensive position. Critically wounded, he continued to command the platoon and, refusing aid, ordered his men to leave him behind and withdraw to a secure position. His extraordinary heroism during this engagement cost him his life, but saved many of his men. SFC Dare's actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Robert E. Dare (ASN: RA-6794378), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as an Assistant Squad Leader in a platoon of Company K, 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Dare distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Taejon, Korea, on 20 July 1950. On that date, Sergeant First Class Dare's platoon was leading the company advance along the airport road when it was dispersed into rice paddies and pinned down by cross-fire from six hostile tanks and an estimated enemy battalion. Sergeant Dare, with utter disregard for his safety, exposed himself to the intense fire to take command of the platoon. Displaying outstanding leadership and courage, he personally directed the fire of his machine-gun squad, reorganized the platoon, and ordered its withdrawal to a defensive position. During this action he was critically wounded, but continued to command the platoon. Refusing aid, he ordered his men to leave him behind and withdraw to a secure position. His initiative, aggressiveness, and gallantry during this engagement cost him his life but saved many of his comrades.

General Orders: Department of the Army: General Orders No. 16 (March 20, 1951)

Burial

Sergeant First Class Robert Emerson Dare is buried at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, CA, in Plot: 19A, 0, 868.