Commander of the Civil Affairs Staging Area - Colonel Hardy Cross Dillard - pins the bronze star on Lt. Colonel Presley W. Melton. During the ceremony, Colonel Dillard remarked, " In the European Theater Lieutenant Colonel Melton (then Major) was personally responsible for the formation and coordination of the G-5 plan for the use of Civil affairs personnel in the base section of the Communications Zone from May to October of last year. The citation reads that his performance of this outstanding service has been a major contribution to the war effort, and reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."