Merle J. Monette

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Merle J. Monette (US37803110), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of Company F, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Sergeant Monette distinguished himself by courageous action near Soun-ni, Korea, on 15 October 1951. His company had the mission of attacking and securing an enemy-held objective, a rugged and steep hill. Acting as lead element, his platoon advanced up the objective but as it neared the top, it was suddenly halted by a tremendous volume of enemy fire. Seeing that a hostile recoilless rifle position was the key defensive emplacement, Sergeant Monette, with complete disregard for his own safety, advanced through the withering fire to destroy it. He was seriously wounded as he moved forward but refused to stop. He then engaged the four enemy troops and killed them all after a fierce automatic weapons duel. As his platoon followed in the attack, he entered a communication trench and killed three additional hostile soldiers on his way to the top of the objective, there setting up covering fire and enabling his platoon to follow and capture the objective. As his comrades went on to the next objective, he was again wounded by enemy machine gun fire. However, he continued to provide effective covering fire, killing two more of the enemy and contributing immeasurably to the success of the entire mission. Sergeant Monette’s courageous action, aggressive fighting skill and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.