Matthew Leonard

Rallying a platoon near Suoi Da

Matthew Leonard was born on 26 November 1929 in Eutaw, Alabama. He served as a sergeant first class with Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.

On 28 February 1967 near Suoi Da, Leonard rallied his platoon after an enemy attack wounded its leader and other key men. He organized the defense, redistributed ammunition and rescued a wounded soldier. Despite a wound to his hand, he continued directing fire. When an enemy machine gun threatened the perimeter, he charged and destroyed its crew. He continued fighting until he died of his wounds, inspiring the platoon to hold until assistance arrived.

Secretary of the Army Stanley Resor presented Leonard's posthumous Medal of Honor to his family at the Pentagon on 19 December 1968. He is buried in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Alabama.

Medal of Honor 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.