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 Sergeant [then Corporal] Leo Rudolph Bartolo (ASN: RA-15259890), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During an attack on his company position near Hwanggan, Korea, on 25 July 1950, Sergeant Bartolo learned of two additional enemy machine guns going into action to the front and flank. Seizing a rocket launcher and ammunition, Sergeant Bartolo crawled about 75 yards under intense automatic weapons fire, fired one round for a direct hit on one machine gun, crawled a short distance and silenced the second machine gun, then having subdued the small arms fire with his last round, he returned to his position. Sergeant Bartolo’s initiative, courageous devotion to duty, and military skill reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.