The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Mersalaw S. Lampa (ASN: 36035252), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 16 April 1945. While serving as a sentry, Private Lampa noticed a column of about ninety Germans approaching his position. After awakening his section sergeant, Private Lampa personally manned a heavy machine gun, wounded eight Germans and cause the remainder to disperse. When enemy rocket and small arms fire made his position untenable, Private Lampa made his way to another position from which he observed a group of twenty Germans approaching a building not far from his gun position. Realizing that immediate action was necessary to prevent the enemy from over-running our positions, Private Lampa made his way to the machine gun under heavy enemy fire, placed it in operation, and delivered such effective fire that the enemy force was compelled to withdraw after suffering heavy casualties. His gallant actions are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.