First Lieutenant Gewin was a member of Company A, 70th Medium Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy near the Kum River in South Korea on 16 July 1950.

Gewin was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Silver Star Medal

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

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 First Lieutenant (Armored Cavalry) Leonard (aka: Lennard) E. Gewin (ASN: 0-2000504), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 78th Heavy Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, on 16 July 1950 near Taejon, Korea. Lieutenant Gewin, Motor Officer of Co A, 78th Heavy Tank Battalion received word that one of the tanks had been abandoned due to enemy action. Without waiting for further instructions, Lieutenant Gewin voluntarily assembled his maintenance crew and went forward in an attempt to retrieve the tank. Coming under heavy artillery and mortar fire Lieutenant Gewin stopped the recovery vehicle and proceeded on foot. Finding it impossible to recover the abandoned tank, Lieutenant Gewin attempted to fight his way back through an enemy road block with the recovery vehicle. When last seen during this action, Lieutenant Gewin was seriously wounded and is reported as missing in action. His loyalty to duty, his courageous and fearless leadership reflects great credit on himself and the Military Service.

General Orders: Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 64, (August 1, 1950)

Action Date: July 16, 1950

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company A

Battalion: 78th Heavy Tank Battalion

Division: 24th Infantry Division