Navy Federal Credit Union

William Leonard was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2002 a review of the DSC awards was called for by Congress, and his award was one of 24 DSCs upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Although he survived the war, he died in 1985 and his Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 7, 1944

    Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 611 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class William F. Leonard, United States Army, for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near St. Die, France on 7 November 1944. Private First Class Leonard’s platoon was reduced to eight men as a result of blistering 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 pack, 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.