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 [then Technician Fourth Grade] Leon G. Walker (ASN: 37155219), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 10 April 1945 while serving with the 315th Engineer Combat Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Ilmenau, Germany. While removing a road block, a platoon of engineers was subjected to intense hostile fire which wounded the platoon sergeant and temporarily disrupted clearing operations. Undaunted, Staff Sergeant Walker immediately assumed command of the leaderless group and continued with the hazardous work. Employing the aid of a tank, he constantly exposed himself to deadly observed fire as he dismantled the obstacle, log by log. The gallant action and inspiring leadership which he displayed in removing the road block enabled urgently needed armor to advance and were in accordance with high military tradition.