The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Ralph W. Melcher (ASN: 0-1186906), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery B, 8th Field Artillery Battalion, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. In the vicinity of Mugnam-ni, Korea, on 17 February 1951, Lieutenant Melcher was arriving as an artillery observer during a fierce attack. Although subjected to an intense concentration of small arms and mortar fire, he repeatedly moved to exposed vantage points to make more effective fire adjustments. When the bombardment was lifted, he joined the infantry in a determined assault on the enemy positions. After driving the enemy from the crest, he crawled through heavy sniper fire to the peak of the hill to direct additional artillery concentrations on the retreating foe. Lieutenant Melcher’s exemplary courage, aggressive spirit and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself, his unit and the Armed Forces of the United States.