"Private First Class William F. Leonard distinguished himself by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while
serving as a Squad Leader in Company C, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near
St. Die, France on November 7, 1944. Private First Class Leonard's
platoon was reduced to eight men as a result of blistering artillery,
mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire. Private First Class Leonard led the
survivors in an assault over a hill covered by trees and shrubs which
the enemy continuously swept with automatic weapons fire. Ignoring
bullets which pierced his pack, Private First Class Leonard killed two
snipers at ranges of fifty and seventy-five yards and engaged and
destroyed a machine gun nest with grenades, killing its two-man crew. Though momentarily stunned by an exploding bazooka shell, Private First
Class Leonard relentlessly advanced, ultimately knocking out a second
machine gun nest and capturing the roadblock objective. Private First
Class Leonard's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond
the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."
From PFC Leonard's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 18, 2014.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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