The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Merron L. Passmore (ASN: US-53070649), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 25 July 1952, Corporal Passmore was the automatic rifleman of a squad assigned the mission of ambushing the enemy in the vicinity of Maryang-san, Korea, with the purpose of capturing prisoners. Soon after the men of the friendly unit were in position, they were subjected to an intense enemy artillery barrage, killing three and wounding all members of the patrol including Corporal Passmore. Immediately after the hostile barrage, they were attacked by an overwhelming number of the foe. Corporal Passmore, disregarding his wounds, protected the left flank of the friendly defenses and repulsed the first enemy attack. He then selflessly assisted in moving the more seriously wounded to covered positions. Again the enemy attacked, and again he drove them off with the withering fire of his automatic rifle, killing or wounding at least four of the foe. When his automatic rifle refused to function during the fourth hostile attack, he hurled grenades and again repulsed the enemy. Then fearlessly crossing the shrapnel-torn area, he protected the right flank by grasping grenades from the wounded and hurled them upon the foe as he covered the withdrawal of the friendly unit. Corporal Passmore’s outstanding gallantry, selfless actions, and fearlessness were instrumental in preventing the patrol from being overrun, saved many friendly lives, and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.