The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Leslie M. Jensen (ASN: 0-200134), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division, in action at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 7 July 1944. Commencing at daylight, while the Regimental Command Post was under heavy enemy infantry attack, Lieutenant Colonel Jensen, Acting Regimental Executive Officer, with complete disregard for his own safety and exposing himself continuously to enemy fire, moved throughout the area directing the defense and placement of automatic weapons. His initiative and sound judgment had a direct bearing on preventing a possible breakthrough by what was later learned to be the main and last organized counterattack of the Japanese forces on Saipan. His coolness, calmness, untiring efforts, personal supervision, and disregard for his own safety, while under heavy enemy fire, were an inspiration to all around him and contributed greatly to the annihilation of the enemy forces attacking the Command Post, and to the saving of lives of the wounded and men of two isolated battalions of his regiment. Later that day, he made a lengthy reconnaissance on foot, while continuously under heavy enemy fire, with one officer and one enlisted man, and was successful in locating relieving units and in guiding them into position.