The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Merton E. Munson (ASN: 0-260520), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in Northern France. On 3 July 1944 near ****, France, when his battalion was supporting infantry in the vicinity of ****, France, wire communications to an important OP observing for his battalion were cut. The route between the OP and the fire direction center was under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire at the time. Feeling the importance of quickly finding the break in the line, he quickly organized a small wire crew and went forward with them down the wire line under the enemy fire to hasten to the breach in the line. He proceeded on forward to the OP, which was also under fire, in order to discuss with the forward observer the best means of getting it neutralized. While doing so he was severely wounded and had to be evacuated. Against medical advice he left the hospital and voluntarily went back to his organization for duty. Again at ****, France, on 2 August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Munson’s battalion was supporting the infantry, having the mission of capturing that town and the bridges over the **** River. It was important to seize the bridges quickly before they could be blown. Lieutenant Colonel Munson, anxious to quickly get the artillery support to the troops moving up to seize the bridge, went forward to an OP well up with the leading elements of the infantry where he came under enemy artillery fire. He remained at the post, however, and when the assault was launched, and he was asked for artillery support, he delivered the fire that quickly silenced the enemy and drove them from the town so that all objectives were seized in the quickest possible time. The gallant act of assuming responsibility of checking a wire line because of its urgent importance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. His persistence in returning to the military service before his wounds were healed and his gallantry at ****, France, was a fine example of devotion to duty.