The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Leroy H. Rihel (ASN: RA-15261887), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 June 1952, near Tumyong-dong, Korea. Corporal Rihel was a machine gunner with an assault platoon engaged in a drive to take Hill 200. The platoon had successfully advanced through the opposing artillery and mortar fire, but were halted by an enemy machine gun emplacement which forced them to take cover and threatened to inflict severe casualties. Seeing that from their position it was impossible to bring effective fire on the blocking hostile emplacement, Corporal Rihel picked up his machine gun, ran through the heavy fire to a small crest, and then directed devastating heavy fire on the enemy. Although his position provided no protective cover from either the continuing artillery and mortar fire or the sniper and automatic weapons fire, Corporal Rihel sustained his fire with telling accuracy until he troublesome enemy machine gun emplacement had been silenced and its four crew members had been killed. This enabled the platoon to continue its assault and successfully take its objective. The gallantry and selfless devotion to duty exhibited during this action by Corporal Rihel reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.