The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Melicio J. Montesclaros (ASN: 0-1305289), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 10 August 1950, in the vicinity of the Naktong River, Korea. An attack launched on the enemy soon met stiff resistance from intensive fire of both exposed flanks. Although the lead company had been cut off and our positions subjected to the concentrated automatic weapons fire of the enemy, Captain Montesclaros, the Battalion S-3, moved from one position to another rallying the men to greater efforts. With complete disregard for his own safety he organized riflemen into successful fire groups to neutralize many of the enemy machine gun emplacements. Due to ever increasing volumes of fire, the battalion was forced to withdraw from its main position. Realizing the importance of renewing the attack and regaining the last positions, Captain Montesclaros reorganized the battalion for a counterattack and personally led the men against the heavily defended enemy positions. Through his capable leadership, courage and unhesitant devotion to duty, the enemy was successfully routed with a considerable loss of personnel and automatic weapons. His fearlessness and outstanding gallantry in the face of a vastly superior enemy served well to inspire the men of his battalion and reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the military service.