The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Melvin C. Lindstrom (ASN: 37070285), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Germany, on 9 April 1945. While leading his squad, which was assigned the mission of protecting the flank of his company as it advanced against the enemy, Sergeant Lindstrom personally destroyed an enemy rocket-launcher team, killed three members of a German machine gun crew and, when part of the squad was pinned to position by an enemy sniper, he signaled one of the riflemen to attract the attention of the sniper, then took careful aim and killed the German. Sergeant Lindstrom’s courageous initiative, exemplary leadership and expert marksmanship reflect credit upon his character and training as a soldier.