The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Melvin Ruben Stai (ASN: 0-2035983), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with as Commanding Officer of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Stai distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kunu-ri, Korea, on 30 November 1950. While the 1st Battalion was fighting a delaying action south of Kunu-ri, Captain Stai’s company was in reserve position at the base of a hill. When the enemy infiltrated and seized the hill, he was ordered to launch a counterattack to retake it. In the face of extremely heavy automatic-weapons fire, he started his advance up the hill and was almost immediately halted by the overwhelming enemy fire. During this halt, he continuously exposed himself to withering enemy fire in order to coordinate and direct the fire of his company. Despite the urging of platoon and squad leaders, the men of Company A were not able to advance in the face of increasingly heavy enemy fire. Captain Stai, resuming the advance alone, had gone about fifty yards up the hill when the men of Company A, inspired by his courageous action, rallied behind him and began pressing the attack. This attack once renewed, succeeded in driving the enemy from the strategic position, killing approximately fifty and routing the remainder. After being driven from the hilltop, the enemy laid down a heavy concentration of direct mortar and machine-gun fire on their deserted position, but in spite of his heavy fire, Captain Stai, although he could be clearly seen by the enemy, remained in the open and placed each man of his command in position to fire upon the retreating enemy. After securing the hill, he held the position throughout the day, and thereby contributed greatly to the successful withdrawal of the remainder of the regiment. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Captain Stai on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.