The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant [then Third Lieutenant] Sixto R. Melendez, Philippine Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 3d Infantry Regiment, Philippine Army, in action in Bataan from 4 to 10 February 1942. Ordered to reinforce a sector of the adjoining company at Trail 7 (Tuol Pocket), Bagac, Lieutenant Melendez led his two machine gun sections with such valor that the enemy was annihilated and his mission accomplished successfully.