The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leo T. Knott, Jr., United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the Heavy Mortar Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action in Korea. On 24 December 1950 during the last hours of the evacuation of troops from the beach at Hungnam, Korea, an ammunition dump on the beach unexpectedly exploded. The terrific blast caused much damage and injured many men. From a shelter which he had found Private Knott saw that some men were still unprotected from the continuing explosions. Heedless of the danger, he left his shelter to guide to safety those who were still exposed. As he left the shelter for a second time to search for others he was caught in another tremendous blast which flung him through the air into the sea. His body was rescued by his comrades but all attempts to revive him were futile. Private Knott’s exceptional valor and selfless devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.