The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Purdy B. McLeod (ASN: 0-969250), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 11 August 1950, near Chang-yong, Korea, Company G was halted by hostile fire. Moving forward through the intense fire, Lieutenant McLeod reorganized a platoon which had lost its leader; by placing its machine guns in effective positions and inspiring the men by his own calm courage, Lieutenant McLeod enabled the platoon to hold off a later attack. He similarly rallied another platoon which had been heavily attacked. In the evening when the enemy pressed its attack and the company was forced to withdraw, Lieutenant McLeod, directing the rear guard action, held a mortar tube, without bipod, in his bare hands and fired it into the enemy. Not until the entire company had cleared and all wounded had been evacuated, did he withdraw. Lieutenant McLeod’s unfailing valor, initiative and leadership, reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.