Patrick James Leonard

He rallied a tiny patrol and brought civilians out of danger

Patrick James Leonard was born in Ireland on 19 May 1847. He entered United States Army service at Cincinnati, Ohio, and became a sergeant in Company C, 2nd U.S. Cavalry.

On 15 May 1870, Leonard and four troopers were searching for stray horses near the Little Blue River in Nebraska when they came under attack. Private Thomas Hubbard and two horses were wounded. Leonard dismounted his men and organized a defensive position. After repelling repeated attacks, the patrol withdrew on foot and escorted a settler’s family towards safety. The account in General Orders No. 21, Department of the Platte, records that the party reached its camp that night.

Leonard received the Medal of Honor on 22 June 1870. Each of the four troopers with him was also decorated. He later reached first sergeant. He died on 24 January 1899 at Kansas City, Missouri, and was buried in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery at New Almelo, Kansas.

He was once confused with Patrick Thomas Leonard, a different soldier who earned the Medal of Honor with the 23rd Infantry in 1876. Their separate identities establish that Patrick James Leonard received one Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.

Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Patrick James Leonard.