Leroy A. Mendonca

He covered his platoon as it withdrew from an exposed ridge.

Leroy A. Mendonca served as an Army sergeant in Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 4 July 1951, near Chich-on, Korea, his platoon faced a strong nighttime counterattack after taking Hill 586. Ordered to fall back, the soldiers withdrew while Mendonca remained in an exposed position. He fired and threw grenades until his ammunition ran out, then continued fighting with his rifle and bayonet until mortally wounded. His resistance gave the platoon time to reach its secondary defenses and helped the unit retain the hill. His Medal of Honor recognized his sacrifice.

Medal of Honor citation

Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. After his platoon, in an exhaustive fight, had captured Hill 586, the newly won positions were assaulted during the night by a numerically superior enemy force. When the 1st Platoon positions were outflanked and under great pressure and the platoon was ordered to withdraw to a secondary line of defense, Sgt. Mendonca voluntarily remained in an exposed position and covered the platoon's withdrawal. Although under murderous enemy fire, he fired his weapon and hurled grenades at the onrushing enemy until his supply of ammunition was exhausted. He fought on, clubbing with his rifle and using his bayonet until he was mortally wounded. After the action it was estimated that Sgt. Mendonca had accounted for 37 enemy casualties. His daring actions stalled the crushing assault, protecting the platoon's withdrawal to secondary positions, and enabling the entire unit to repel the enemy attack and retain possession of the vital hilltop position. Sgt. Mendonca's extraordinary gallantry and exemplary valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.