The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Melvin H. Hansens (ASN: 16104733), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945, in the Hardt Mountains, France. Assigned a mission to lay wire from Regiment through Battalion, behind a march column, the wire section of which Private Hansens was a member was ambushed by 10 Germans at a road block. Private Hansens, who was leading, called out for the rest of the section to disperse and take cover, thereby drawing the bulk of the enemy fire upon himself. He was mortally wounded, but his sacrifice enabled the wire team to escape and to complete its mission. This outstanding act of gallantry is exemplary of the highest traditions of the military service.