The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leon E. Roggi (MCSN: 850296), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Scout of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division Mariana Islands on 21 July 1944. Courageous in the face of heavy machine-gun and mortar fire during his Company’s advance in this area, Private First Class Roggi was the first to reach the high ground along the objective ridge where he captured a hostile machine-gun and killed two of the enemy who had been directing the fire. Although wounded during this action, he steadfastly remained in his precarious position to employ the captured gun against retreating Japanese forces, holding his ground until an additional wound necessitated his evacuation. By his bold courage, boundless initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Roggi reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.