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 First Class [then Sergeant] Leon Pugowski (ASN: RA-12130551), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action near Hagaru-ri, Korea, on 1 December 1950. On this date, Sergeant Pugowski, a Company Cook, took a position in the line as a rifleman when every man was badly needed. At approximately 1330 hours, when the unit broke out of the close perimeter about fifteen miles north of Hagaru-ri, Sergeant Pugowski rallied the men in his section and led them under heavy small arms fire down the railroad track toward Hagaru-ri. Disregarding his own safety, he offered himself as a target many times in order to draw fire from the others so they could advance. Due to his heroic actions many lives were saved. Sergeant Pugowski’s display of gallantry and aggressive leadership on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service.