Leonard Foster Mason-Lima, OH
Posted by: Don.Morfe
N 40° 43.656 W 084° 03.084
16T E 749016 N 4512701
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action on Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands on July 22, 1944. He was killed in action and his remains were never recovered. He has a cenotaph marker in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima OH in Section 7, Lot 66C.
Waymark Code: WMX362
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 11/20/2017
Views: 1
He was born on February 22, 1920 in Middlesboro, KY and died on July 23, 1944 in Guam. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *MASON, LEONARD FOSTER
• Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps.
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 credit upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Armed Service: Marines
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