The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] Leo Blevins (ASN: RA-33386913), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 13 and 14 February 1951 in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea. Sergeant Blevins was a squad leader in his platoon. When the enemy launched a fierce assault against Company K, Sergeant Blevins discovered enemy forces of about platoon size attempting to come up on the flank of the machine gun position in the squad. Observing that the machine gun could not be shifted to fire upon the advancing enemy, Sergeant Blevins exposed himself to the enemy fire to move along the ridge to a position between the machine gun and the enemy. With deadly accurate rifle fire he killed 17 enemy soldiers and forced the remainder to retreat. The gallant conduct and selfless attitude displayed by Sergeant Blevins reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.