The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Leslie Leroy Karnes (ASN: RA-499387945), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 February 1971 while serving as Operations/Intelligence Advisor on Mobile Advisory Team IV-102, Kien An District, Kien Giang Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date Sergeant Karnes was operating a Boston Whaler in which the Province Senior Advisor, Kien An District Advisor, and the Team 55 First Sergeant were passengers. The party had been inspecting the construction of outposts in the U-Minh Forrest and were returning by canal to the Kien An District Headquarters when they were ambushed by a North Vietnamese reconnaissance unit. So intense was the small arms and B-40 rocket fire that it was impossible to return immediate fire. Though mortally wounded and completely exposed to enemy fire, Sergeant Karnes continued to maneuver the boat and swung it directly into the ambush site, thereby providing his comrades with their only chance for survival. Due to Sergeant Karnes’ singularly heroic actions, his decisive and professional bearing, and complete dedication to his responsibilities in the heat of battle, the Kien An District Senior Advisor and Team First Sergeant were able to stay the Viet Cong until rescued by a hastily formed rescue squad. Sergeant First Class Karnes’ conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.