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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Melvin Ruben Stai (ASN: 0-2035983), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 26 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kujang-dong, Korea. On that date Captain Stai’s company was in position along the Chong-chon River in the vicinity of friendly artillery units. That night the enemy succeeded in crossing the icy river in seven columns, two of which came in on his Company’s position. Without time to develop a defensive position facing the attack, Captain Stai personally placed his troops in an outpost line, man by man and squad by squad. After deploying his company to meet the surprise attack, he skillfully shifted the fire of several nearby tanks to augment that of his riflemen. He then established tank-infantry teams, each composted of one tank with a rifle squad. The enemy had succeeded in penetrating the company’s positions and hand-to-hand combat ensured, not only on the line but in the rear in the command post area. In spite of those hazardous conditions Captain Stai throughout the engagement remained in exposed positions, directing and encouraging his men. With complete disregard for his personal safety he exposed himself constantly to the intense hostile fire as he directed the defensive tactics of his unit. When daylight came the enemy retreated, leaving 300 dead in front of his positions. The courageous stand taken by Captain Stai, in the face of a nigh surprise attack by numerically superior enemy forces, was instrumental in preventing three battalions of our artillery from being overrun by the enemy. The gallantry displayed by Captain Stai reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 6, 1950
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 66 (October 15, 1950)

    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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Melvin Ruben Stai (ASN: 0-2035983), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 6 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea, On this date, Company A, in conjunction with another company, was given the mission of attacking and taking a high ridge. With success in sight the remaining obstacles to be overcome by the attacking troops was the highest point on the ridge and a portion of the adjacent company’s objective. Upon this point the enemy had emplaced a heavy machine gun, which commanded the approaches to Company A’s objective and threatened to prevent consolidation of the attacking companies. Realizing the necessity of immediately eliminating the threat to his company’s mission, he hastily organized an attacking force of six men from this command group, and led this group forward, boldly and led this group forward boldly and fearlessly, into the face of direct machine gun fire and severe mortar fire. Inspired by his intrepid leadership, his men destroyed the machine gun and secured the right flank of the company, ensuring the success of the attack. Later that night, the enemy counterattacked and penetrated the lines of the adjacent company at the high point of the ridge. Lieutenant Stai, in a masterful demonstration of leadership, shifted his left platoon to the right to reinforce that company. He personally led his platoon in a movement which was made under extremely heavy hostile fire and during a dark and rainy night, when footing was very treacherous. His immediate grasp of the situation and the initiative which he displayed prevented the enemy from further penetrating and infiltrating the position. His resolute and daring leadership on this occasion is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great honor upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Korean War)

    Action Date:

    January 29, 1951 – April 22, 1951 (MIA)
    Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office

    Captain Melvin Ruben Stai (ASN: 0-2035983), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 29 January 1951 during the Korean War and was held until his death in captivity on or about 22 April 1951.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1950
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 90 (February 22, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Melvin Ruben Stai (ASN: 0-2035983), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with as Commanding Officer of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Stai distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kunu-ri, Korea, on 30 November 1950. While the 1st Battalion was fighting a delaying action south of Kunu-ri, Captain Stai’s company was in reserve position at the base of a hill. When the enemy infiltrated and seized the hill, he was ordered to launch a counterattack to retake it. In the face of extremely heavy automatic-weapons fire, he started his advance up the hill and was almost immediately halted by the overwhelming enemy fire. During this halt, he continuously exposed himself to withering enemy fire in order to coordinate and direct the fire of his company. Despite the urging of platoon and squad leaders, the men of Company A were not able to advance in the face of increasingly heavy enemy fire. Captain Stai, resuming the advance alone, had gone about fifty yards up the hill when the men of Company A, inspired by his courageous action, rallied behind him and began pressing the attack. This attack once renewed, succeeded in driving the enemy from the strategic position, killing approximately fifty and routing the remainder. After being driven from the hilltop, the enemy laid down a heavy concentration of direct mortar and machine-gun fire on their deserted position, but in spite of his heavy fire, Captain Stai, although he could be clearly seen by the enemy, remained in the open and placed each man of his command in position to fire upon the retreating enemy. After securing the hill, he held the position throughout the day, and thereby contributed greatly to the successful withdrawal of the remainder of the regiment. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Captain Stai on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.