The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States not justifying one of the two higher awards - the service crosses (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross), the second-highest military decoration, or the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration. The Silver Star may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions:
• In action against an enemy of the United States
• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force

Merle Graves Robertson died 10 September 1968, in Vietnam, while serving in the United States Marines. He was a first cousin of Patricia Graves, a subscriber to this blog.