The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Merrill S. Alexander (ASN: 0-2169838), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 19 January 1945 to 20 January 1945, in Belgium. Two enemy tanks of a group of seven with supporting infantry broke through friendly lines and fired at Captain Alexander in his exposed position while he was transmitting important fire missions over his radio. Despite added artillery and nebelwerfer fire, he gallantly remained at his post. Captain Alexander again refused to leave his position on the following day when self-propelled artillery shelled the positions around him. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Alexander, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.