The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Mele M. Della (ASN: RA-13012852), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Tank Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 25 November 1950 near Won-ni, Korea. On the night of that date he was a platoon sergeant in a tank company which was under attack by a large enemy force. In the course of the action, the platoon leader was wounded and Sergeant Della immediately assumed command of the platoon. Completely ignoring the heavy enemy fire, he exposed himself in the turret of his tank, locating targets and directing the fire of the other three tanks. When the command post was subjected to enemy automatic weapons fire from the high ground nearby, he immediately shifted the fire of his own tank to the new target and destroyed an enemy emplacement. He remained in his exposed position and continued to direct the fire of his tanks until he was relieved by an officer. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Della reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.