The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Thomas W. Mellen (ASN: 0-1285267), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy during the period 22 February to 11 March 1951, in the vicinity of Khechon, Korea. Major Mellen, Regimental Operations Officer, planned the operations of his regiment as it smashed an all-out enemy attack, and then scheduled the pursuit of three North Korean Divisions. Throughout the entire operation, he remained at forward command posts, observation posts, and on numerous occasions stationed himself with front line elements of the regiment, in order to better observe and coordinate their movements. On one occasion, when a battalion was being subjected to an intense enemy attack, he personally led reinforcements through almost impassible terrain, in a blinding snowstorm, and under extremely heavy enemy fire. Encouraged by the reinforcements, the embattled troops repulsed the enemy, inflicting severe casualties on them. During this entire campaign, the outstanding leadership, aggressiveness and dauntless courage of Major Mellen was an inspiration to his men and reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Thomas W. Mellen (ASN: 0-1285267), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 January 1951 in the vicinity of Wonju, Korea. Major Mellen was leading a two squad patrol along the road from Wonju to Chupo-ri. the small group was suddenly subjected to enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire delivered from high ground to its left flank. He immediately deployed his men into positions from where they could bring effective fire upon the enemy. Although the hostile fire was constant and heavy, Major Mellen repeatedly exposed himself as he directed the withdrawal of the squads to a defilade position in a nearby draw. The enemy, however, pursued the group and again brought it under intense machine gun fire. Major Mellen fearlessly exposed himself and advanced to an exposed position from where he covered the group’s withdrawal by pouring a steady fire into the enemy positions. His heroic action and complete disregard of his personal safety enabled the two squads to withdraw from an impossible situation without sustaining a casualty. The gallantry displayed by Major Mellen reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.