Joseph Leonard (soldier)

He fought in the Philippine battles and returned for wartime

Joseph H. Leonard was born in Cohoes, New York, on 28 August 1876. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Brooklyn on 7 June 1897, using the name Joseph Melvin.

During the Philippine-American War he served with Marines accompanying the Eighth Army Corps. His Medal of Honor citation recognised distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in the battles of 25, 27 and 29 March and 4 April 1899. The decoration was awarded in July 1901 under the name he had used when he enlisted.

Leonard completed his first period of service with an honourable discharge on 6 June 1902. His connection with the Marine Corps resumed during the First World War: he re-enlisted on 19 April 1918 and served until 3 July 1919. He attained the rank of sergeant, although the conduct recognised by his Medal of Honor had been performed as a private.

He later lived in California. He died on 23 September 1946 and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove cemetery at Yountville. His record preserves both his original enlisted identity, Joseph Melvin, and the name Joseph Leonard under which the Marine Corps now commemorates him.