The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Leo K. Oren (ASN: 37663626), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 104th Infantry Division, in action in Germany on 23 November 1944. On that date, a platoon of sergeant Oren’s company launched an attack against a strongly entrenched enemy and was pinned down short of their objective by heavy enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire. The platoon suffered heavy casualties and lost all contact with friendly forces. Sergeant Oren, at great risk to his life and in the face of heavy enemy fire, voluntarily left his covered position, crawled across 500 yards of muddy, fire-swept terrain and contacted the platoon. Under cover of darkness Sergeant Oren assembled the members of the platoon and led them to safety, saving them from sustaining further casualties in their vulnerable position. His courageous acts, above and beyond the call of duty, saved the lives of many of his comrades and reflects the highest credit on Staff Sergeant Oren and the armed forces of the United States.