Star of Courage

• Awarded on: October 30, 2008
• Invested on: June 19, 2009

Petty Officer 2nd Class James Anthony Leith, S.C., M.S.M., C.D.,
Star of Courage

On September 28, 2006, Petty Officer 2nd Class James Leith risked his life to prevent the loss of civilian and military lives by dismantling an improvised explosive device (IED) on a road in the Pashmul area of Afghanistan. After his vehicle had been struck, Petty Officer 2nd Class Leith discovered an unstable IED. As his equipment had been destroyed in the original blast, he dismantled the IED using only his bayonet. His courageous actions enabled the reopening of a vital route for coalition forces.