William F. Leonard
Medal of Honor recipient William F. Leonard was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Born in Lockport, N.Y. (1913-1985) he was the son of William B. and Mary (Male) Leonard. William F. Leonard was married to Marquiete Shefler in 1935 until her death and then married Mary Barone in 1947. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army. Seeing duty in Italy and France. In 1944 he was promoted to Sergeant.
William F. Leonard has received the Medal of Honor, posthumously March 18, 2014 from President Obama; the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II.
Per citation readings of 2014 by President Obama - In 1944 while Squad Leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near St. Die, France read:
“… Leonard's platoon was reduced to eight men as a result of heavy artillery, mortar, machinegun, 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 back packs, Private First Class Leonard killed two snipers at ranges of fifty and seventy-five yards and engaged and destroyed a machinegun 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 machinegun 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.” As a result during these actions, Pfc. William F. Leonard was struck and wounded In his back and legs causing him to have a permanent limp.
Leonard returned from his service and working as a butcher - owner of Frontier Meat Market on Main Street in the 1950’s, and finally retired from a Harrison Radiator Company. Like so many WWII veterans, William F. Leonard did not tell much of this to his three daughters, friends or neighbors – they learned it during Obama’s speech. What he did tell them were little stories of how he received Holy Communion in a bombed-out church in Strasbourg, France, and how they had found the “best bread in the world” in a tiny deserted bakery in a little French village. William F. Leonard passed away while sitting in his backyard listening to a New York Yankees game on the radio. That was just a few days before his 72nd birthday. Thank you to William F. Leonard's family, various local newspaper articles and Wikipedia. Section 7 Lot 64.
Medal of Honor recipient William F. Leonard was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Born in Lockport, N.Y. (1913-1985) he was the son of William B. and Mary (Male) Leonard. William F. Leonard was married to Marquiete Shefler in 1935 until her death and then married Mary Barone in 1947. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army. Seeing duty in Italy and France. In 1944 he was promoted to Sergeant.
William F. Leonard has received the Medal of Honor, posthumously March 18, 2014 from President Obama; the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II.
Per citation readings of 2014 by President Obama - In 1944 while Squad Leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near St. Die, France read:
“… Leonard's platoon was reduced to eight men as a result of heavy artillery, mortar, machinegun, 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 back packs, Private First Class Leonard killed two snipers at ranges of fifty and seventy-five yards and engaged and destroyed a machinegun 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 machinegun 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.” As a result during these actions, Pfc. William F. Leonard was struck and wounded In his back and legs causing him to have a permanent limp.
Leonard returned from his service and working as a butcher - owner of Frontier Meat Market on Main Street in the 1950’s, and finally retired from a Harrison Radiator Company. Like so many WWII veterans, William F. Leonard did not tell much of this to his three daughters, friends or neighbors – they learned it during Obama’s speech. What he did tell them were little stories of how he received Holy Communion in a bombed-out church in Strasbourg, France, and how they had found the “best bread in the world” in a tiny deserted bakery in a little French village. William F. Leonard passed away while sitting in his backyard listening to a New York Yankees game on the radio. That was just a few days before his 72nd birthday. Thank you to William F. Leonard's family, various local newspaper articles and Wikipedia. Section 7 Lot 64.