The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Joseph Kleczka (ASN: 0-1185947), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery C, 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 14 – 15 December 1950, near Tonghung-Ni, Korea, the Second Platoon of Company I, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry was assigned the mission of establishing an outpost line of resistance while the main defense line withdrew to more tenable positions. Lieutenant Kleczka, attached to the Second Platoon as an artillery forward observer, deliberately exposed himself to intense hostile fire so that he might better observe and adjust artillery fire. When communications broke down, he fearlessly moved across exposed terrain to effect the necessary repairs. Later communications were again knocked out, but Lieutenant Kleczka relayed his fire directions through the platoon leader. When the increasing intensity of the enemy fire finally forced the platoon to withdraw, Lieutenant Kleczka courageously remained behind and directed supporting artillery fire until he was assured that all the members of the unit had safely withdrawn. Lieutenant Kleczka’s gallant devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.