Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: Vietnam War hero Specialist 4 Leonard L. Alvarado
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| Spec. 4 Leonard L. Alvarado |
Spec. 4 Leonard L. Alvarado will receive the Medal of
Honor posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a
Rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry
Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in
Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969.
Leonard Alvarado was born in Bakersfield, Calif., Feb. 13, 1947.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army, July 25, 1968.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Alvarado distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 August 1969 while serving as a rifleman during a mission to relieve a beleaguered sister platoon in Phuoc Long Province. As he and other members of the small reaction force moved through dense jungle, Specialist Alvarado detected enemy movement and opened fire. Despite his quick reaction, he and his comrades were quickly pinned down by the hostile force that blocked the path to the trapped platoon. Specialist Alvarado quickly moved forward through the hostile machine gun fire in order to engage the enemy troops. Suddenly an enemy grenade exploded nearby, wounding and momentarily stunning him. Retaliating immediately, he killed the grenadier just as another enemy barrage wounded him again. He crawled forward through the fusillade to pull several comrades back within the hastily-formed perimeter. Realizing that his element must break away from the hostile force, he began maneuvering forward alone. Though repeatedly thrown to the ground by exploding satchel charges, he continued advancing and firing, silencing several emplacements, including one enemy machine gun position. From his dangerous forward position, he persistantly laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces, and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered that he had succumbed to his wounds. Specialist Four Alvarado’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Alvarado
received the Distinguished Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar. 18), Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air
Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Good Conduct Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze
Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “60” Device,
Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
with Palm Device, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit
Citation First Class, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert
Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, Auto Rifle and Machine-Gun Bars.
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