The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Leonard D. Sunley (ASN: US-56587154), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 21 March 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Sunley distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as a rifleman in Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, which was conducting a search and clear operation. As his platoon approached a wooded village, they suddenly came under intense small arms and rocket fire from an enemy force of undetermined size. Specialist Sunley immediately rushed forward to the front of his platoon and began to hurl grenades at the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he began to eliminate position after position with his grenades and small arms fire. His aggressive actions allowed his platoon to move out of an exposed rice paddy and gain a foothold in the village. When his supply of grenades was exhausted, he quickly returned to the rear to get a resupply for himself and his comrades, so they could continue to press the attack. Throughout the battle, he ignored the heavy enemy fire and continually engaged the enemy forces at close range. His heroic actions accounted for five bunkers destroyed and seven enemy killed. Specialist Fourth Class Sunley’s unquestionable valor in close combat with a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.