The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Technical Sergeant] Leo C. Lyon (ASN: 0-2012102), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in ****, Germany, on 8 March 1945. When attacking rifle troops were threatened with encirclement on their exposed left flank, Lieutenant Lyon, acting platoon leader, grabbed a light machine gun, dashed forward some fifty yards under cover of a smoke screen and, in the face of withering artillery and small arms fire, delivered such effective fire upon the enemy troops that fifteen Germans surrendered after failing in a desperate attempt to knock out the machine gun with a direct firing heavy weapon. Lieutenant Lyon maintained his forward position until all threat of encirclement was eliminated. His gallant actions under fire exemplify the high traditions of the military service.