The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Melvin Boyd (ASN: RA-12118382), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. When battalion outposts at the junction of two ridges in the vicinity of Haman, Korea, were attacked by numerically superior hostile forces during the night of 14 September 1950, withdrawal to the battalion perimeter was ordered. Although painfully wounded, Sergeant Boyd remained in position to assist in repelling three more enemy attempts to penetrate the battalion area until he was ordered by the battalion commander to withdraw. By his initiative and courageous devotion to duty, Sergeant Boyd contributed materially to the successful defeat of the enemy forces and set an example in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.