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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Leo J. Heaney (ASN: RA-13893172), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, in action against a hostile force on 20 August 1967 near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Heaney, leading his patrol as point man, encountered a Viet Cong Squad. Immediately, he opened fire and charged the enemy soldiers. The return hostile automatic weapons fire was so intense that Sergeant Heaney had to seek cover and wait for the remainder of his patrol to join him. Upon regrouping, he led his men in an aggressive assault on the enemy positions. After overrunning the position and killing two of the enemy, the patrol received automatic weapons fire from its flank. Having a part of his patrol lay down a base of fire, Sergeant Heaney took the remainder and led them in an assault in which four more of the enemy were killed. Sergeant Heaney’s outstanding gallantry and aggressive determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.