The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leslie T. Minnichbach (MCSN: 513705), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 23 June 1944. With his platoon forced to fall back under the enemy’s shattering barrage, Private First Class Minnichbach courageously remained in the exposed position to cover the withdrawal of the others, delivering an accurate, steady stream of gunfire against the enemy and enabling his platoon to vacate the area expeditiously. Fatally struck down by a bursting hostile shell during the fierce action, Private First Class Minnichbach, by his daring initiative, his valiant fighting spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to duty, had contributed materially to the success of our operations against this vital hostile stronghold and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.