The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Leon Eugene Hobby (ASN: 14028346), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against Japanese forces at San Manuel, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 23 January 1945. A reconnaissance patrol of which Staff Sergeant Hobby was a member, attempted to gain a foothold on the town of San Manuel. When the patrol reached the outskirts of the village it was ambushed by machine gun and rifle fire from at least two machine guns and a platoon of riflemen. The patrol was pinned to the ground making maneuver impossible, but finally withdrew under cover of an 81-mm. mortar barrage. Staff Sergeant Hobby noticing an officer who had been wounded and lay helpless, volunteered with three others to evacuate him by improvising a litter, and disregarding personal safety helped carry it across 75 yards of open ground covered by intense enemy fire. Twenty yards from cover a machine gun raked the entire party wounding the officer once again, killing one litter bearer and mortally wounding Staff Sergeant Hobby, who continued to carry the officer to safety. Staff Sergeant Hobby died 10 minutes later. The gallant and voluntary act of Staff Sergeant Hobby in performing duties above and beyond those of his regularly assigned position by going to the aid of a wounded officer, was a great inspiration to all who witnessed his actions and were a credit to the military service.