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 Sergeant First Class Joseph F. LeBow (ASN: RA-6938157), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 27 August 1951 in the vicinity of Pidul-kogae, Korea. On that date Sergeant LeBow’s 81-mm. mortar platoon was providing supporting fire for assaulting rifle companies. During the ensuing action friendly units were forced to withdraw due to the heavy concentration of hostile mortar fire and the assault by a numerically superior enemy force using automatic weapons and small arms. As the units withdrew, the mortar section was left behind exposed to the brunt of the enemy attack. In the ensuing fire fight, the platoon was forced to withdraw with as much ammunition and equipment the men could carry. Sergeant LeBow, realizing that the enemy could use what guns and ammunition that were left behind, voluntarily returned through the hail of hostile fire to destroy the abandoned material. As he approached the former position, the enemy was closing in but disregarding the imminent danger to himself, he remained long enough to render the weapons useless to the onrushing enemy. His action undoubtedly aided in the success of the counterattack by friendly forces which regained the objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant LeBow reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.