The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armored Cavalry) Leonard (aka: Lennard) Earl Gewin (ASN: 0-2000504), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 78th Heavy Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, on 16 July 1950 near Taejon, Korea. Lieutenant Gewin, Motor Officer of Co A, 78th Heavy Tank Battalion received word that one of the tanks had been abandoned due to enemy action. Without waiting for further instructions, Lieutenant Gewin voluntarily assembled his maintenance crew and went forward in an attempt to retrieve the tank. Coming under heavy artillery and mortar fire Lieutenant Gewin stopped the recovery vehicle and proceeded on foot. Finding it impossible to recover the abandoned tank, Lieutenant Gewin attempted to fight his way back through an enemy road block with the recovery vehicle. When last seen during this action, Lieutenant Gewin was seriously wounded and is reported as missing in action. His loyalty to duty, his courageous and fearless leadership reflects great credit on himself and the Military Service.