The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Leon Jerry Shrum (ASN: US-53421496), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 148th Military Police Platoon, 95th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Shrum distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while helping to defend the city of My Tho against the Viet Cong Lunar New Year Offensive. While moving to engage an insurgent force located in the city, a small reconnaissance party was savagely ambushed and pinned down at a street intersection by a numerically superior enemy element. Responding to a call for assistance from the embattled patrol, Specialist Shrum volunteered to carry a supply of machine gun ammunition to it. Braving withering fire, he dashed across two hundred and fifty meters of bullet-swept open ground to reach the friendly forces and provide them with the vital ammunition. He was mortally wounded while gallantly aiding the beleaguered troops to repel the determined enemy attacks. His fearless actions enabled his comrades to fight free of the Viet Cong ambush and prevented the possibility of numerous casualties. Specialist Fourth Class Shrum’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.