The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Arman F. Leo, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 29 February 1944. When his section’s position was attacked by a 15-man enemy patrol, Sergeant Leo, a squad leader, took command of a heavy machinegun and opened fire at 50 yards range. Disregarding German hand grenades and automatic weapons fire which struck the sandbags of his gun emplacement continually, Sergeant Leo continued to fire until he had killed three members of the patrol, wounded another and forced them to abandon their machinegun. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.