Carlos Leija

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Carlos Leija (38561566), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 6 March 1945, near Forbach, France. After several costly attempts had failed to knock out an enemy machine gun which, by its command of a road junction, was holding up the advance of his company, Private First Class Leija volunteered to assault the position. While his squad placed fire upon the hostile position, he crawled forward alone through barbed wire and under observed enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Working within range of the enemy he threw three hand grenades in rapid succession into the position and then charged the emplacement, subduing it. His gallant action in destroying the stubborn strongpoint enabled his platoon to advance and gain its objective.