The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class John Patrick Meloy (ASN: RA-16925396), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 December 1968. Specialist Fourth Class Meloy distinguished himself while on a reconnaissance in force operation southeast of Hue, Republic of Vietnam. As the company’s second platoon was moving up a steep, thickly vegetated ridgeline, they came under intense, well-directed automatic weapons fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army platoon. Some thirty minutes later the company’s command post and the third platoon rushed to the aid of the pinned-down platoon. One man from the third platoon was seriously wounded and was unable to maneuver because of the enemy automatic weapons fire. Specialist Meloy, realizing the wounded man’s desperate situation, ran some thirty meters through an exposed area, while enemy automatic weapons fire pitted and raked the area, to aid the wounded man. Specialist Meloy’s gallant effort to pull the wounded man to safety resulted in him being fatally wounded. Specialist Fourth Class Meloy’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.