Background
Leonard Foster Mason was born on February 22, 1920 in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
Leonard Foster Mason was born on February 22, 1920 in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1943 and was promoted to private first class in March 1944. During the landing on Guam, on July 22, 1944, two enemy machine guns opened fire on Mason"s platoon. Although mortally wounded, Mason cleared out the hostile position, acting on his own initiative.
He posthumously received the Medal of Honor.
Mason died the following day of his wounds. In 1946, the destroyer United States Ship Leonard F. Mason (Doctor of Divinity-852) was named in his honor.