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 (Infantry) Leslie Whittington Kirkpatrick (ASN: 0-59140), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Anju, Korea, on 5 November 1950. First Lieutenant Kirkpatrick’s company was attacked from the front, left flank and rear, by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength. He immediately proceeded to build a firing line with his ammunition bearers to protect his crew-served weapons from the enemy assault. In spite of severe losses the enemy continued his fanatic advance. When he saw that the enemy hordes would not be stopped, First Lieutenant Kirkpatrick gave the desperate order to fire the mortars straight into the air, bringing their fire down on his own positions. When the sole remaining gunner fell wounded, First Lieutenant Kirkpatrick ran to the mortar positions to load the piece; the enemy overran the position and First Lieutenant Kirkpatrick was killed. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, 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.