The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph L. Melahn (ASN: 32792510), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 11 February 1945, near ****, German. Private First Class Melahn, Wireman, when the 81-mm. mortar platoon’s observation post 300 yards in front of the outpost line of resistance came under particularly fierce enemy artillery fire and its communications lines were blown out, showed disregard for his personal safety. Private First Class Melahn, without waiting for order, exposed himself to the intense artillery and small arms fire and repaired the wires under a hail of bullets in time to complete a fire mission. Before he could regain the cover of the observation post, he was killed by a direct artillery hit. The heroic manner in which Private First Class Melahn willingly made the supreme sacrifice reflects great honor upon himself and on the country for which he gave his life.