The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Warren A. Leitner (MCSN: 0-15525), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. Discovering that the leaders of the adjacent platoons and because casualties shortly after landing on the beach, First Lieutenant Leitner braved intense hostile artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire to make repeated trips from one and of the platoon sectors to the other reconnoitering both friendly and enemy positions. Reorganizing the depleted platoons, he led them in making a strong and effective attack which gained five hundred yards within an hour after landing, thereby contributing materially to the establishment of the beachhead. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.