The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Hospitalman Billy J. Leek (NSN: 2562611), United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the armed enemy while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near the Naktong River Sector, Korea, on 17 August 1950. Hospitalman Leek, a Company Aid Man, while under intense small arms, machine gun and mortar fire, without regard for his own safety, fearlessly endangered his own life while making repeated trips through this fire to attend wounded Marines of his company. While performing these acts he was wounded three times but refused evacuation of himself until all the wounded had been cared for. His unselfish devotion to duty and personal heroism were responsible for the saving of the lives of several Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.