Name: Matthew Leonard
Rank: Platoon Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place: Near Suoi Da, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Birmingham, Alabama
Born: 26 November 1929, Eutaw, Alabama
Summary of Action
Near Suoi Da, Platoon Sergeant Matthew Leonard’s unit was suddenly attacked by a large enemy force employing small arms, automatic weapons, and hand grenades.
Within moments, the platoon leader and several key leaders were wounded. The attack threatened to overrun the unit.
Leonard immediately took command.
He rallied his men and drove back the initial assaults. During a brief lull, he reorganized the perimeter, redistributed ammunition, and moved among his soldiers, steadying them with forceful leadership and calm encouragement.
Seeing a wounded soldier lying outside the defensive line, he dragged the man to safety — only to be struck by a sniper’s bullet that shattered his left hand.
He refused medical treatment.
As the enemy renewed its assault, Leonard moved from position to position under intense fire, directing his men against the concealed attackers.
Then the situation worsened.
Under cover of the main attack, the enemy maneuvered a machine gun into position to sweep the entire perimeter. At the same time, the platoon’s own machine gun malfunctioned.
Leonard crawled forward to clear the weapon. As he worked, enemy fire wounded the gunner and others nearby.
He rose to his feet.
Charging directly into the storm of bullets, he assaulted the enemy machine gun position and destroyed the crew — despite being struck multiple times.
Wounded again and bleeding heavily, he propped himself against a tree and continued firing at the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds.
His indomitable spirit and heroic leadership inspired his platoon to hold their ground until reinforcements arrived.
Platoon Sergeant Matthew Leonard’s profound courage and devotion to his men reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
LEONARD, MATTHEW
Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Suoi Da, Republic of Vietnam, 28 February 1967.
Entered service at: Birmingham, Ala.
Born: 26 November 1929, Eutaw, Ala.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His platoon was suddenly attacked by a large enemy force employing small arms, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Although the platoon leader and several other key leaders were among the first wounded, P/Sgt. Leonard quickly rallied his men to throw back the initial enemy assaults. During the short pause that followed, he organized a defensive perimeter, redistributed ammunition, and inspired his comrades through his forceful leadership and words of encouragement. Noticing a wounded companion outside the perimeter, he dragged the man to safety but was struck by a sniper’s bullet which shattered his left hand. Refusing medical attention and continuously exposing himself to the increasing fire as the enemy again assaulted the perimeter, P/Sgt. Leonard moved from position to position to direct the fire of his men against the well camouflaged foe. Under the cover of the main attack, the enemy moved a machine gun into a location where it could sweep the entire perimeter. This threat was magnified when the platoon machine gun in this area malfunctioned. P/Sgt. Leonard quickly crawled to the gun position and was helping to clear the malfunction when the gunner and other men in the vicinity were wounded by fire from the enemy machine gun. P/Sgt. Leonard rose to his feet, charged the enemy gun and destroyed the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire. He moved to a tree, propped himself against it, and continued to engage the enemy until he succumbed to his many wounds. His fighting spirit, heroic leadership, and valiant acts inspired the remaining members of his platoon to hold back the enemy until assistance arrived. P/Sgt. Leonard’s profound courage and devotion to his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and his gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Name: Matthew Leonard
