The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Leander W. O’Neil (ASN: 0-1328392), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of Company I, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, on 22 September 1950 in the vicinity of Sinban-ni, Korea. On that date his company was assigned the mission of attacking Hill 272. During the assault he personally led a force of ten men in a charge which drove the enemy from the crest of the hill. The enemy immediately counterattacked in company strength, and Captain O’Neil ordered his small force to withdraw. Under intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, he remained in position covering the withdrawal of his men by automatic rifle fire. In spite of the withering hostile fire and the overwhelming odds against him, he single-handedly forced the counterattacking enemy to deploy, thus allowing his men to reach safe positions. His intrepid action insured the withdrawal of his company with a minimum of casualties and inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy. The gallantry displayed on this occasion by Captain O’Neil reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.