The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Merle N. Jacques (ASN: 37047321), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 203d Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 22 October 1944, in Germany. Technician Fifth Grade Jacques was serving as a member of a field artillery battalion and was posted as a sentinel near a battery ammunition dump. During an enemy shelling in the area, a fire was started in the ammunition dump. Technician Fifth Grade Jacques ran to the blaze and, with a comrade, succeeded in extinguishing the flames while enemy shells were still falling in the area. This act was one of conspicuous courage and daring, which not only resulted in the saving of valuable property but eliminated the danger to personnel in the immediate area. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technician Fifth Grade Jacques, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.