Cornelius J. Leahy

He returned for fallen comrades under fire near Porac, Luzon

Cornelius J. Leahy earned the Medal of Honor during a scouting action near Porac on Luzon in the Philippines on 3 September 1899. A private in Company A, 36th Infantry, United States Volunteers, he helped drive off a larger opposing force and recover two comrades from the battlefield.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, in June 1872, Leahy later served in the United States Army. His award was accredited to San Francisco, California. The authoritative recipient record does not establish his immigration or enlistment history.

With the assistance of one other soldier, Leahy brought back a comrade who had been killed and another who was badly wounded. The official citation recognizes both his combat conduct and the recovery carried out during the patrol.

Leahy survived this action but was killed at Pilar, Luzon, on 1 December 1900. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously on 3 May 1902 and received by his mother six days later. He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery. His citation preserves the memory of a soldier who returned for fallen and wounded companions despite the danger.

Medal of Honor citation

Distinguished gallantry in action in driving off a superior force, and with the assistance of one comrade, brought from the field of action the bodies of two comrades, one killed and the other severely wounded, this while on a scout.