The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Mervin T. Heacock (ASN: 20708520), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Ranger Battalion, on the early morning of 12 February 1943, in the vicinity 5 miles west of Sened Station, Tunisia. Sergeant Heacock led his section in a manner which was directly responsible for the successful attack on enemy machine gun positions made by his unit. Although severely wounded, he continued the assault, directing the members of his section to the final objective and reducing enemy resistance. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Heacock is deserving of highest praise.