The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Leo Francis Hartsuff, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 7 September 1969 while serving as commander of an armored flame thrower carrier with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the An Loc area of operations, Sergeant Hartsuff’s flame thrower carrier was combined with two armored troops in a reconnaissance mission through a large enemy base camp. As the armored elements proceeded, they were suddenly and savagely attacked by a well-entrenched enemy force. Sergeant Hartsuff reacted immediately to the hostile action, directing his vehicle into the area of heaviest contact to close within the effective range of the flame thrower. Despite the withering volley of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire, Sergeant Hartsuff aggressively pressed the attack and closed within a few meters of the well-concealed enemy force. At a crucial point in the battle Sergeant Hartsuff noticed the unit commander was being threatened by an enemy group in a bunker to the left and rear of his position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Hartsuff dismounted his own vehicle and assaulted the bunker with his personal weapon and hand grenades. He attacked the enemy causing considerable damage before small arms fire mortally wounded him as he was moving toward the enemy. Sergeant Hartsuff’s gallant actions and courageous leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.