Leon H. Cooper

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Leon H. Cooper (617603), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company in the FIRST Marine Division, in Korea, on 30 October 1951. Serving as Leader of a Rifle Squad, Sergeant Cooper displayed exceptional courage and initiative in leading his men on a daring patrol raid deep into enemy territory. Expertly maneuvering his squad in among strong enemy entrenchments, he exposed himself fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety to devastating enemy automatic weapons, small arms, and hand grenade fire, to skillfully position his men to isolate a sector of the enemy’s fortifications, and then led the annihilation of the enemy troops in his trap. During the vicious engagement he personally killed ten of the enemy and wounded four with accurate rifle and hand grenade fire, and then expertly disengaged and returned to friendly lines, having killed sixty-five enemy, wounded thirteen, and destroyed twenty-five enemy bunkers, sustaining only one minor casualty among his men. His outstanding tactical ability and aggressive bravery were an inspiration to all who observed him. Sergeant Cooper’s heroic leadership was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.