By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Leslie Albert McPike (ASN: 554075), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company C, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the morning of 22 October 1918, Sergeant McPike was sent with his section to hold a difficult position on the edge of Bois de Foret. In this position he broke up a strong enemy counterattack, but in doing so he used up nearly all ammunition. Later, without a round of ammunition left, and surrounded on three sides by the enemy, Sergeant Pike and his section defended themselves with their pistols. A vicious fight ensued in which the enemy was checked long enough to allow carriers to bring up ammunition, finally resulting in the complete shattering of the enemy attack. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]