The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leon Lee (ASN: 33794694), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 16 April 1945. After participating in the assault crossing of the **** River, Private Lee, an acting squad leader, dashed across open terrain despite withering fire, in an attempt to rescue a wounded comrade. Upon ascertaining that his comrade was beyond help, he continued forward, killed an enemy rifleman, then assaulted and destroyed a machine gun nest with grenades and rifle fire, thereby making possible the seizure of the initial objective without further casualties. Later, while leading his squad in an attack on the final objective, Private Lee was mortally wounded by enemy rifle fire. His gallant actions entitle Private Lee to a place of honor in the annals of fighting Infantrymen.