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 Charles R. Leach (ASN: 35228174), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 7th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, near Dorsten, Germany, on 29 March 1945. Private Leach, an ammunition carrier in a machine gun platoon, volunteered to man a machine gun on a light truck during the advance on an enemy-held city. Ambushed by the enemy, he immediately opened fire, neutralizing hostile machine gun positions and enabling his patrol to withdraw. Later while serving as machine gunner on a one-quarter ton truck, he exposed himself to sniper fire in order to assist in the capture of 870 prisoners with equipment and several artillery pieces. His courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.