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 Leland G. Manning (ASN: 37495992), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 10 February 1945. While his company was advancing across a field covered by enemy fire, Sergeant Manning saw a soldier fall to the ground, wounded by a hostile machine gun bullet. The injured man lay fully exposed to the intense Japanese fire. Sergeant Manning dashed more than 50 yards across the field, and dragged the casualty to the cover of an upturned furrow. While enemy fire continued to rake the sod, he administered first aid for a period of fifteen minutes. Then, once again exposing himself, Sergeant Manning dragged and carried the wounded man to safety. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.