The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Leslie J. Wondrash (MCSN: 0-32517), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 7 July 1944. When an enemy counter attack overran an adjoining artillery installation, Second Lieutenant Wondrash personally reconnoitered the area and, leading a small patrol, took command of a disorganized group of men from several units and successfully defended a flank of the front line position. Making additional reconnaissance ahead of the lines he kept rear units informed of the enemy movements and tactics and directed the removal of many wounded. Subsequently making a third trip into the hostile area, he personally removed about twenty wounded men. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Wondrash and the United States Naval Service.