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 (Infantry) John Nelson Merrill, Jr. (ASN: 0-2014595), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the afternoon of 16 September 1950, Lieutenant Merrill led his platoon on a combat patrol near Changyong, Korea. Contacting the enemy on the last of a series of hills, Lieutenant Merrill aggressively led his platoon to a position flanking the hostile forces and dispersed his men to return the fire. Calling for mortar fire on the position, he effectively adjusted its fire from a forward observation post. The intense barrage of mortar and machine gun fire from the numerically superior enemy forces inflicted numerous casualties among his men. Since it was necessary to withdraw to a more favorable position, Lieutenant Merrill moved back and forth across his platoon encouraging his men and supervising the evacuation of the wounded until all personnel had withdrawn. Lieutenant Merrill’s courageous leadership is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.