Leo Donald Anderson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Leo Donald Anderson (0-2018631), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 27 April 1951, enemy forces in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, launched a powerful attack against the 1st and 3d Battalions of the 65th Infantry. Penetrating the sector of the line held by these two units, these hostile forces succeeded in isolating one company from its battalion. Captain ANDERSON, who was in the battalion observation post, realizing the seriousness of the situation and the possibility of a general breakthrough, moved forward to collect and assemble remnants of two companies, into a defensive perimeter to block the existing gap. With complete disregard for his own safety, he crossed the open bullet-swept terrain and organized elements of the two companies fusing them into an effective defensive force. Captain ANDERSON then formed squad patrols to go forward, and, under his personal supervision, they evacuated the wounded. Captain ANDERSON’S conspicuous gallantry and courageous demeanor reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.