Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company K, 3rd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1944

Captain Richard D. Melcher, O-406956, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action near Saint-Lô, Normandy, France, on 17 July 1944. When his company was pinned down by fire from an enemy machine gun in a church on its flank, Captain Melcher crawled through an open field under heavy enemy fire and lobbed three hand grenades through a window, destroying the gun and killing its crew, and enabling his company to continue its advance. The intrepid courage of Captain Melcher, his tenacity of purpose, his devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety, reflects the highest credit upon the military service.
Entered military service from Nebraska.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 25 (25 August 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Commanding Officer, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 11th, 1944

For wounds received in action on 1 August 1944 in Normandie, France.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 17 (11 August 1944).