The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leonard E. Johnson (ASN: 34963417), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 January 1945, in Belgium. When the forward elements of their platoon were pinned down by a heavy hail of enemy machine gun fire, Private First Class Johnson and his comrades boldly moved across a road to a position where they could fire on the enemy. Although he had little cover and the enemy was greatly superior in number and fire power, Private First Class Johnson fought back savagely until he was wounded by a machine gun burst. The great gallantry displayed by Private First Class Johnson and his comrades was an important contribution to the overrunning of the enemy strongpoint and the advance of their company. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Johnson, 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.