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 Private First Class Leonard W. Schoen (ASN: 37742876), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 2 January 1945, in the vicinity of Phillipsbourg, France. Surrounded on all sides by enemy machine gun emplacements, Company K, 275th Infantry Regiment was harassed in its withdrawal attempt by continuous hostile fire. Private First Class Schoen, in the face of this heavy fire, and without regard for his personal safety, boldly advanced on the flank of the enemy positions and opened fire with an automatic rifle. He had knocked out several enemy guns and killed eleven of the enemy before he was fatally wounded by machine gun fire from another direction. His heroic action made possible the accomplishment of the withdrawal with a minimum of casualties.