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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Leon L. Neel (ASN: 0-1823335), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 823d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy during the period 10 October 1944 to 12 October, 1944, in Germany. First Lieutenant Neel was serving with a tank destroyer battalion deployed in defensive positions along the flank of a large infantry force engaged in an offensive operations. The enemy made repeated counterattacks with numbers of tanks in an effort to penetrate our defenses and cut supply and communication lines to the rear of the assault troops. First Lieutenant Neel exposed himself to heavy enemy fire upon many occasions to direct the most effective defensive fire. The daring, conspicuous courage, and brilliant leadership displayed by this officer were materially responsible for destroying at least seven enemy tanks, and breaking up several vigorous hostile counterattacks. The gallant leadership and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Neel, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Leon L. Neel (ASN: 0-1823335), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 823d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 8 August 1944, in France. First Lieutenant Need was assigned to duty with a tank destroyer organization engaged in action supporting an infantry force. First Lieutenant Need was preparing to move his gun crew forward when he was ambushed by an enemy group. After eliminating the opposition with small arms fire, an enemy tank appeared and in the exchange of shots, the gun with which First Lieutenant Neel was working was destroyed. Without hesitation, and at the risk of his life, First Lieutenant Neel secured another gun and moved to a new position on the battlefield where he and his crew remained for almost an hour under intense enemy fire to annihilate three enemy tanks. The aggressive fighting spirit and determined leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Neel enabled him and his men to destroy three enemy tanks and break up a determined enemy counterattack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Neel, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.