Leonard Foster Mason Edit Profile

Background

Leonard Foster Mason was born on February 22, 1920 in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Career

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.

Achievements

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Guam where he was mortally wounded. His heroic act in the face of almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission. His exceptionally heroic act in the face of almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission and reflects the highest cr upon Private first class In 2013, the City of Middlesboro, Kentucky renamed a portion of Cumberland Avenuethe city"s main street through historic downtownin his honor. Leonard F. Mason Medal of Honor Memorial Highway.

Connections

enemy:: Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam

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Born

February 22, 1920

Middlesboro, Kentucky, Bell County, United States of America
Died

July 22, 1944 (aged 24)

killed in action
Nationality
United States

Awards

Medal of Honor; Purple Heart Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: February 2, 1920, Middlesboro, Ky. Accredited to: Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands on 22 July 1944. Suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns not more than 15 yards away while clearing out hostile positions holding up the advance of his platoon through a narrow gully, Pfc. Mason, alone and entirely on his own initiative, climbed out of the gully and moved parallel to it toward the rear of the enemy position. Although fired upon immediately by hostile riflemen from a higher position and wounded repeatedly in the arm and shoulder, Pfc. Mason grimly pressed forward and had just reached his objective when hit again by a burst of enemy machinegun fire, causing a critical wound to which he later succumbed. With valiant disregard for his own peril, he persevered, clearing out the hostile position, killing 5 Japanese, wounding another and then rejoining his platoon to report the results of his action before consenting to be evacuated. His exceptionally heroic act in the face of almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission and reflects the highest cr upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: February 2, 1920, Middlesboro, Ky. Accredited to: Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands on 22 July 1944. Suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns not more than 15 yards away while clearing out hostile positions holding up the advance of his platoon through a narrow gully, Pfc. Mason, alone and entirely on his own initiative, climbed out of the gully and moved parallel to it toward the rear of the enemy position. Although fired upon immediately by hostile riflemen from a higher position and wounded repeatedly in the arm and shoulder, Pfc. Mason grimly pressed forward and had just reached his objective when hit again by a burst of enemy machinegun fire, causing a critical wound to which he later succumbed. With valiant disregard for his own peril, he persevered, clearing out the hostile position, killing 5 Japanese, wounding another and then rejoining his platoon to report the results of his action before consenting to be evacuated. His exceptionally heroic act in the face of almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission and reflects the highest cr upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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