The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Gail Barrie Leachman (ASN: US-56068875), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Company F, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Leachman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hagamnyong, Korea, on 12 September 1951. On that date, the company of which Sergeant Leachman was a member, was engaged in an attack against a well-entrenched hostile force occupying a strategic slope. Rather than launch a costly frontal assault, the friendly troops maneuvered around the enemy positions and attempted to attack from the rear. As Sergeant Leachman’s platoon moved forward in the assault, it was subjected to a heavy volume of fire from a well-concealed hostile emplacement. In the initial burst of fire, both the platoon leader and Sergeant Leachman were wounded. Realizing that the platoon leader was unable to lead the attack, Sergeant Leachman, although painfully wounded, moved to the front of the platoon. In an attempt to minimize the danger felt by his men, he fearlessly exposed himself to the heavy fire and, shouting words of encouragement to them, he began to advance on the enemy position. Inspired by his heroic example, the friendly troops resumed the assault and followed Sergeant Leachman as he attacked the emplacement. Wounded again by grenade fragments, he nevertheless neutralized the left flank of the enemy position and continued to advance. By that time, the entire platoon was fighting with such fierce aggressiveness that the hostile force became demoralized and fled from the hill. Only after he had deployed his men in a defensive perimeter on the newly won ground did Sergeant Leachman allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant First Class Leachman on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.