Stephen M. Mellnik

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Stephen M. Mellnik, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces from 4 April 1943 to 9 July 1943, in the Philippine Islands. As a Prisoner of War, Major Mellnik was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers, and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. Major Mellnik’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.