The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Merritt S. Gwinn (ASN: 37629085), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 3d Cavalry Group, in action in Luxembourg and Germany on 31 December 1944. At midnight, the wind cold and icy, Private First Class Gwinn crossed the Moselle River with a patrol which was subjected to severe German mortar, machine gun and small arms fire. He and two companions were separated from the patrol and suddenly one of the three men was wounded by enemy shell-fire. Private First Class Gwinn and the other man carried their injured comrade through the hail of deadly fire to the river bank where the casualty succumbed. Forced to leave their dead comrade there, they crossed the river and later returned to recover the body, fighting off enemy attackers. Private First Class Gwinn’s gallantry reflects credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.