Name: Leonard M. Kravitz
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Regiment
Place: Yangpyong, Korea
Entered Service At: New York
Born: 1931, Brooklyn, New York
Date of Issue: March 18, 2014
Summary of Action
During intense fighting near Yangpyong, Korea, Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz and his unit were occupying defensive positions when they were suddenly overrun by enemy forces.
Under overwhelming pressure, the order was given to withdraw.
Someone needed to hold the line long enough for the platoon to escape.
Kravitz volunteered.
Remaining at a machine-gun position while his comrades pulled back, he opened fire on the advancing enemy, delivering devastating suppressive fire that slowed the assault.
His lone stand forced the enemy to concentrate their entire attack on his position.
While the enemy focused on the machine gun, the rest of his platoon successfully withdrew to safety.
Kravitz continued fighting until he was overwhelmed and killed.
His courage and selfless decision to remain behind saved the lives of his entire platoon.
For decades his heroism went unrecognized, but in 2014 he was finally awarded the Medal of Honor, ensuring that his sacrifice would never be forgotten.
Medal of Honor Citation
KRAVITZ, LEONARD M.
