The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Melvin Anderson Presley (ASN: 38016233), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Anti-Tank Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Meximieux, France, on 1 September 1944. Sergeant Presley was in command of an anti-tank gun squad covering a road block which was violently attacked by enemy infantry forces supported by tanks and self-propelled guns. Throughout the intense fighting which followed, Sergeant Presley forsook the cover of his gun’s armored shield and stood exposed in his determination to have the maximum possible observation of the results of his fire. Sergeant Presley succeeded in obtaining a hit on the leading self-propelled gun which was then abandoned. Meanwhile, however, a shell from a second enemy self-propelled gun landed near the anti-tank gun and a fragment seriously wounded Sergeant Presley. He dropped to his knees and although in great pain, and still exposed at the side of his gun, continued to control the fire and his squad until finally a shell destroyed the gun and mortally wounded him. The stubborn resistance that this road block, for which Sergeant Presley was mainly responsible provided the time for forming of defenses which subsequently withstood a prolonged attack by enemy armor and infantry. Sergeant Presley’s brilliant leadership and heroism under fire exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.