The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Melvin K. Hoff (ASN: 36582308), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 6 December 1944. When it was of vital importance that a message be delivered to a platoon of Company C, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, which was isolated in a building at some distance, Sergeant Hoff volunteered to deliver the message, although this necessitated his traversing ground subjected to enemy sniper fire. As he approached the building, he discovered four enemy soldiers attempting to gain admission through a side entrance. He immediately shot and killed three of them and seriously wounded the fourth. He then completed his mission by delivering the message, and returned to his company over the same ground. Sergeant Hoff’s tenacity of purpose, personal bravery and devotion to duty bespeak such gallantry in action as to be in accord with the military traditions of the United States.