The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leo P. Muri (ASN: 13105576), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, about one-half mile north of ****, Holland. Private First Class Muri, a rifleman, while advancing towards his initial company objective with his platoon after the assault crossing of the River Waal, conducted himself with such gallantry as to reflect great credit upon himself. His platoon’s advance off the beach was almost immediately held up by the withering crossfire from two enemy machine guns. Without awaiting orders and entirely upon his own initiative, Private First Class Muri crept up to the closest machine gun and killed the three Germans manning it with a Gammon Grenade. He then laboriously and under intense fire worked his way up to within 20 yards of the second gun and neutralized it with a fragmentation grenade, killing one of the enemy crew and forcing the other two to flee their position. Private First Class Muri calmly and coolly killed these two Germans with his M-1 Rifle. By his heroic actions, Private First Class Muri made it possible for his platoon to continue its advance with a minimum of difficulty. His demonstration of unqualified courage at the risk of his life greatly inspired all those who witnessed his heroic deeds.