The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Leon P. Jenkins (ASN: 31403629), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 17 February 1945 in Germany. Near Biesdorf, Germany, on 17 February 1945, Sergeant Jenkins, while locating fields of fire for the machine gun which his men were emplacing, surprised and killed a German whom he saw leaving a pillbox which was camouflaged as a hay stack. However, before he could warn his men, a numerically superior force of Germans attacked and overran his gun positions and captured a machine gun. Locating friendly troops Sergeant Jenkins obtained hand grenades and alone returned to kill four, wound seven, and drive off the remainder of the enemy, and recapture his gun. Sergeant Jenkins’ courage, aggressiveness, and sincere devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.