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 Donald H. Mellinger (ASN: 33504646), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 50th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in action on 21 January 1945 in the vicinity of Keppenhof Farm, Luxembourg. Private Mellinger, a wireman, followed directly behind the advancing foot elements to lay artillery wire to a new battalion observation post which the infantry was still in the process of taking. The infantry used all available cover, but because of essential speed, Private Mellinger was forced to use a wire vehicle and proceed on the road, thus exposing himself to the hostile observation. When his vehicle was immobilized, he returned to the observation post on foot, servicing the wire to prevent it being severed. Due to his gallantry, heroism and complete disregard for personal safety, vital wire communications were established.