By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Leon R. Mead, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Mead was in command of a company of machine guns near le Charmel, France. On the afternoon of 26 July 1918, he displayed great courage in advancing through an extremely violent barrage to reconnoiter machine gun positions, over and beyond the call of duty. He repeatedly crossed open spaces swept by shell fire and by his wonderful intrepidity inspired the whole company. At all times he gave proof of unhesitating devotion to the cause for which he later scarified his life.