The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Melvin L. Sharp (ASN: 39467760), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Engineer Combat Battalion, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944, near *****, France. Private Sharp, while serving as demolition man for an engineer company supporting a combined tank-infantry operation, immediately accepted the challenge of enemy machine guns and snipers that had pinned his platoon to the ground, returned the fire and forced the enemy to withdraw. This courageous action enabled the continuation of the mission. Private Sharp’s outstanding and valiant devotion to duty, despite being wounded in the course of the action, reflects great credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the military service.