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 Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Melvin Leslie McCreary, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters, Division Artillery, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 December 1942, during the Papuan Campaign at Buna, New Guinea. Colonel McCreary directed the fire of the mortars personally most of the day from a coconut tree about fifty yards from the enemy lines – the only good observation post he could find. When wounded in the back by a shell fragment, he returned to his observation post and remained there for six hours and strapped himself in his tree. He continued to direct the mortars until he lapsed into unconsciousness from loss of blood. Lieutenant Colonel McCreary’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.