LEONARD, TURNEY W.

LEONARD, TURNEY W. (1921–1944). Turney W. Leonard, Medal of Honor recipient, was born on June 18, 1921, in Dallas, Texas. He entered the military service there. First Lieutenant Leonard was a member of Company C of the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion at Kommerscheidt, Germany, in November 1944. During a fierce engagement on November 4–6 of that year, while commanding a platoon of mobile weapons, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while directing the fire of his tank destroyer from exposed dismounted positions. He went on lone reconnaissance missions and on one occasion eliminated an enemy emplacement with a hand grenade. When a German attack threatened to overwhelm friendly positions, he moved through fire to reorganize infantry troops whose officers had been killed and exhorted them to hold firm. Although wounded early in the engagement, he continued to direct fire until his arm was shattered by a high-explosive shell. Leonard, who was personally responsible for directing the fire that destroyed six enemy tanks, was last seen alive at a medical aid station that was later captured by the enemy. He is thought to have died on November 6, 1944, and is buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.