Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1945

"He was serving as a machine gunner in the vicinity of Sars la Bruyère, Belgium, on the night of 4 - 5 September 1944, when his company was attacked by a superior German force. Its position was overrun and he was surrounded when our troops were driven back by overwhelming numbers and firepower. Disregarding the fury of the enemy fire concentrated on him he maintained his position, covering the withdrawal of our riflemen and breaking the force of the enemy pressure. His assistant machine gunner was killed and the position captured; the other 8 members of the section were forced to surrender. Pfc. Merli slumped down beside the dead assistant gunner and feigned death. No sooner had the enemy group withdrawn then he was up and firing in all directions. Once more his position was taken and the captors found 2 apparently lifeless bodies. Throughout the night Pfc. Merli stayed at his weapon. By daybreak the enemy had suffered heavy losses, and as our troops launched an assault, asked for a truce. Our negotiating party, who accepted the German surrender, found Pfc. Merli still at his gun. On the battlefield lay 52 enemy dead, 19 of whom were directly in front of the gun. Pfc. Merli's gallantry and courage, and the losses and confusion that he caused the enemy, contributed materially to our victory."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army