The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 12th Support Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from May 1967 to July 1968. Throughout this period, Colonel Garten demonstrated outstanding managerial ability and professional skill in molding his subordinates into an effective and cohesive unit. He displayed a genuine concern for the personal welfare of the soldier and directed a concerted effort toward enhancing morale. Significant among his accomplishments was the publication of a weekly Brigade newspaper to create unity and esprit de corps within fifty-five separate units as well as the establishment of an annex to the Officer’s Club and subsequent renovation of facilities. Alarmed by the number of accidents on Post and in the civilian community, Colonel Garten placed particular emphasis on safety and initiated a Safety Poster Campaign. His diligence inspired those with whom he was associated and his decisive determination contributed to the successful completion of each task. Colonel Garten’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
November 1964 – April 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period November 1965 to April 1966, while serving as Battalion Commander, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam. Assuming command of the battalion shortly after it’s arrival at the Brigade Phan Rang base camp, Lieutenant Colonel Garten immediately organized a comprehensive maintenance, training, and construction program which permitted the full employment of all resources and the accomplishment of all tasks within a minimum length of time. He established in-processing procedures for replacements and insured that each replacement reported to his company well-trained, properly indoctrinated, and properly equipped. Being keenly aware that winning the struggle in Vietnam involved more than winning military engagements, Lieutenant Colonel Garten took active steps to institute a civic action program whose projects included security for local farmers, repair of roads and bridges, construction efforts for refugee families, medical assistance, and assistance to locate irrigation projects. Lieutenant Colonel Garten demonstrated uncommon professional ability by organizing a battalion provisional reconnaissance unit built around the Table of Organization, Reconnaissance Platoon. Moving in five man teams for indefinite periods of time, his battalion provided valuable intelligence information significant to the entire brigade. He organized provisional immediate reaction and command post security forces from existing resources. This action enabled the rifle companies to remain free and unrestricted in their role as a maneuver force. Under his direction Lieutenant Colonel Garten’s intense competitive spirit instilled a determination to excel within the battalion and spurred the troops to greater achievement. Because of his initiative and resourcefulness, his adaptability to change, and his readiness to resort to expedient, he contributed immeasurably to the overall counterinsurgency efforts in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Garten’s professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Division:
11th Airborne DivisionAction Date:
February 19, 1945
Headquarters, 11th Airborne Division, General Orders No. 98 (May 25, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 11th Airborne Division, in action on Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 19 February 1945. During an attack against the enemy, the platoon which First Lieutenant Garten commanded was pinned down by intense hostile fire from well concealed enemy positions to the platoon’s front. With utter disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Garten moved forward alone to reconnoiter the area. Locating two enemy machine gun nests, this intrepid officer single-handedly attacked and destroyed them, killing seven enemy soldiers. He then proceeded three hundred yards to the rear over open terrain and in full view of the enemy to procure tanks. Continually exposing himself to heavy enemy small arms fire, this officer led the tanks forward and directed their fire on the enemy emplacements. When the tanks withdrew after neutralizing several enemy strongpoints, First Lieutenant Garten rallied his platoon and led a daring assault against the remaining enemy positions. The attack routed the enemy from the area, resulting in the destruction of thirty-one enemy soldiers and the capture of seven machine guns. The outstanding courage and daring initiative displayed by First Lieutenant Garten reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
31st Infantry RegimentDivision:
7th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 30, 1952
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 59 (August 4, 1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Captain Garten distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Surang-ni, Korea, on 30 October 1952. On that date, observing that assault elements of Companies F and G were pinned down by withering fire on a dominant hill feature, Captain Garten voluntarily proceeded alone up the rugged slope and, reaching the besieged troops, found that key personnel had been wounded and the unit was without command. Dominating the critical situation through sheer force of his heroic example, he rallied approximately eight men, assigned four light machine guns, distributed grenades and, employing the principle of fire and maneuver, stormed enemy trenches and bunkers with such tenacity that the foe was completely routed and the objective secured. Quickly readying defensive positions against imminent counterattack he directed and coordinated a holding action until reinforcements arrived. Major Garten’s inspirational leadership, unflinching courage under fire and valorous actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the cherished traditions of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1966
Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3087 (1966)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action in 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
April 26, 1966
Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3096 (May 24, 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Melvin L. Garten (ASN: 0-1320721), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 26 April 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in the vicinity of Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Garten dispatched the battalion’s anti-tank platoon to clear a section of the road north of Tuy Hoa. One vehicle of this platoon struck a mine, destroying the vehicle and injuring two men seriously. Lieutenant Colonel Garten, knowing the road to be mined, moved forward with the security element of a recovery crew to personally survey the area and make an estimate of the situation. At a point two kilometers short of the point where the first vehicle struck the mine, Lieutenant Colonel Garten’s vehicle hit another non-metallic mine that had been cleverly planted in a cut in the road. The blast was of such magnitude that the vehicle was hurled into the air, ripping it virtually in half, and injuring all occupants. Lieutenant Colonel Garten suffered severe injuries on both legs, and a concussion that left him in a coma. Lieutenant Colonel Garten had persisted in moving to a dangerous vantage point with the full knowledge that he could have remained behind without fear of censure. Lieutenant Colonel Garten’s thought prior to becoming unconscious was for the welfare of the other wounded. His unimpeachable valor against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.