Medal of Honor: Leonard Foster Mason – World War II, July 22, 1944

Leonard Foster Mason
Rank: Private First Class
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division
Date of Action: July 22, 1944
Location: Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands

Summary of Action:
On the scorched, deadly beaches of Guam, Private First Class Leonard Foster Mason stood alone against impossible odds. As his platoon advanced through a narrow gully under intense fire, two enemy machine guns halted their progress at point-blank range—just 15 yards away. Acting without orders and with complete disregard for his own safety, Mason climbed out of the relative cover of the gully and flanked the enemy under blistering fire.

Despite being shot multiple times in the arm and shoulder, he pushed forward with grim determination. Reaching the rear of the Japanese position, he was struck again by a deadly burst of machine-gun fire. Mortally wounded, Mason still managed to eliminate five enemy soldiers, wound another, and clear the position that had trapped his comrades. He then staggered back to his unit, calmly reported the success of his action, and only then allowed himself to be evacuated. He would succumb to his wounds shortly after. Mason’s unyielding bravery in the face of certain death enabled his platoon to complete its mission and stands as one of the most gallant actions of the Pacific War.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands on 22 July 1944. Suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns not more than 15 yards away while clearing out hostile positions holding up the advance of his platoon through a narrow gully, Pfc. Mason, alone and entirely on his own initiative, climbed out of the gully and moved parallel to it toward the rear of the enemy position. Although fired upon immediately by hostile riflemen from a higher position and wounded repeatedly in the arm and shoulder, Pfc. Mason grimly pressed forward and had just reached his objective when hit again by a burst of enemy machinegun fire, causing a critical wound to which he later succumbed. With valiant disregard for his own peril, he persevered, clearing out the hostile position, killing 5 Japanese, wounding another and then rejoining his platoon to report the results of his action before consenting to be evacuated. His exceptionally heroic act in the face of almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission and reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.