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 Technical Sergeant Leonard F. Osiek (ASN: 35024808), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Normandy, France, on 31 July 1944. When it became necessary for his platoon to withdraw from a position because of heavy enemy fire from its front and flank, Sergeant Osiek, platoon sergeant, acting on his own initiative, grabbed a light machine gun and covered the withdrawal of his platoon, remaining in position until all elements of his platoon had taken cover behind a hedgerow to the rear. Then, firing the machine gun from his hip, he walked backwards toward the hedgerow and was in the act of crossing it when he was killed by enemy fire. The gallantry in action of Sergeant Osiek in placing the welfare of his organization above his own life pays the highest tribute to his character as a soldier and is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.