COL MELVIN GARTEN (the Captain), Infantry, United States Army, Company K, 31st Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy near Surang-ni, Korea, on 30 October 1952. Observing that assault elements of Companies F and G were pinned down by withering fire on a dominant hill feature, he voluntarily proceeded alone up the rugged slope and, reaching the besieged troops, found that key personnel had been wounded and the unit was without command. Dominating the critical situation through sheer force of his heroic example, he rallied approximately eight men, assigned four light machine guns, distributed grenades and, employing the principle of fire and maneuver, stormed enemy trenches and bunkers with such tenacity that the foe was completely routed and the objective secured. Quickly readying defensive positions against imminent counterattack he directed and coordinated a holding action until reinforcements arrived. Major Garten’s inspirational leadership, unflinching courage under fire and valorous actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the cherished traditions of the military service.