The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal (then Private First Class] Leo J. Dionne (ASN: RA-11166515), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Mortar Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. Corporal Dionne was serving as radio operator for a forward observation party attached o an infantry unit on 24 July 1950, near Sanyang, Korea, when intense enemy fire forced a withdrawal of the unit. During the ensuing counterattack, Corporal Dionne, under concerted hostile mortar and small arms fire worked forward to rescue a wounded officer and carried him to safety at the bottom of a hill. On returning up the hill and meeting the unit again withdrawing, he was unable to find the Sergeant who had been directing fire. Though instructed to withdraw, he pushed on up the hill, arriving just in time to see the sergeant wounded y an enemy grenade. Going forward under direct observation and fire, he lifted the wounded sergeant who lay within 25 yards of enemy lines and carried him to safety. Corporal Dionne’s gallantry, energy and devotion to his fellow soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.