For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Mealy was serving as a radio-telephone operator for his company commander during operations in Viet Cong infested territory. The company was suddenly engaged by a large enemy force, and the initial burst of hostile fire caused several friendly casualties. Sergeant Mealy immediately braved the intense hail of hostile fire in order to run to the aid of two men lying in the hostile fire kill zone. He quickly administered first aid and then carried one of the men to a protected position. As he returned to get the other casualty, Sergeant Mealy saw two Viet Cong approaching the man and he killed them with a burst of fire from his weapon. He then moved the wounded individual to the medical evacuation area. Radio communications became disrupted at this time and he began running through the hostile fire from one position to another with urgent information. Sergeant Mealy acted as the radio-telephone operator for the battalion commander when he arrived at the embattled area, and continued to assist the tactical operations throughout the remainder of the conflict. His extraordinary courage, aggressiveness, and professionalism during the hazardous situation were instrumental in saving several friendly lives, and significantly contributed toward the successful outcome of the encounter. Sergeant Mealy's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the First Infantry Division, and the United States Army