The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Mel T. Bernard (ASN: RA-16968811), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 12 February 1969, while serving as a patrol leader with Company F, 50th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a long range patrol, Sergeant Bernard spotted two enemy soldiers approaching his patrol’s position. As the insurgents neared his position, Sergeant Bernard detonated a claymore mine neutralizing the hostiles. The patrol immediately came under a heavy volume of fire from a large enemy force. During the initial contact, Sergeant Bernard was wounded by the deadly hail of enemy bullets. Ignoring his wound, Sergeant Bernard exposed himself to the holocaust of exploding projectiles as he called in gunship support and directed devastating rocket fire on the aggressors, forcing the insurgents to withdraw. When the helicopters landed to extract the patrol from the endangered area, the group again came under intense enemy fire. Once again, Sergeant Bernard exposed himself as he directed the loading of the aircraft, ensuring all his men were aboard, before the craft lifted off. His valorous actions were responsible for saving several lives and the success of the mission. Sergeant Bernard’s personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army.