The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Leonard L. Marshall (ASN: 36274692), United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division on 15 January 1945, in the Niederbronn Forest, France. When the advance of his company was stopped by fire from an enemy machine gun, Technical Sergeant Marshall voluntarily openedfire from an exposed position, to distract the enemy fire from the rest of the men and to permit a comrade to flank the enemy position. Just as his comrade moved in to wipe out the entire enemy crew, Sergeant Marshall fell, mortally wounded by fire from the enemy gun. His supreme sacrifice permitted the company to complete its mission and reflects the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.