The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Ivan L. Lesher (ASN: 37460257), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 6 April 1945, in the vicinity of Unter Greisheim, Germany. When the enemy counterattacked the partially completed positions of Company F, they inflicted heavy casualties, including Sergeant Lesher’s platoon leader. Sergeant Lesher immediately assumed command, reorganized the platoon, and stemmed the counterattack. He personally disorganized a reinforcing party of 55 men by firing on them with a rifle and rifle grenades. Upon order, he led a successful withdrawal to new defensive positions with a minimum of loss among his own troops. The outstanding leadership and gallantry under fire of Sergeant Lesher reflect great credit upon himself and on the Armed Forces of the United States.