The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Melvin T. Tsuda (ASN: 20010136), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on ** November 1943, in the vicinity of the ***** River in Italy. After his Battalion had successfully crossed the **** River, Staff Sergeant Tsuda, as Battalion Wire Chief, led his wire crew under heavy enemy artillery fire and through a heavily-mined area to establish wire communication with the forward elements. When about 300 yards from the river, Staff Sergeant Tsuda and his crew were attacked by two enemy machine-guns. Although three of his crew were fatally wounded, Sergeant Tsuda’s cool leadership succeeded in getting the remainder of his depleted crew through to establish the vitally-needed wire communication. The energetic leadership and courage displayed by Staff Sergeant Tsuda in the face of grave danger was exemplary and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.