World War II Medal of Honor: Turney Leonard.

Our Texas friend, Aggie alum, dedicated follower of the site and 90th Infantry Division veteran, Joel Harrell, informed us of an interesting update to the story of World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Turney Leonard.

Leonard graduated from Texas A & M University in 1942 and joined the U.S. Army shortly after.  He served in Northern Europe as a 1st Lieutenant with Company C, 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion.

1st Lt. Turney Leonard - Medal of Honor

In early November 1944, Leonard and his unit pushed into Germany’s Hurtgen Forest.  The official MOH citation reads:   “He displayed extraordinary heroism while commanding a platoon of mobile weapons at Kommerscheidt, Germany, on 4, 5, and 6 November 1944. During the fierce 3-day engagement, he repeatedly braved overwhelming enemy fire in advance of his platoon to direct the fire of his tank destroyer from exposed, dismounted positions. He went on lone reconnaissance missions to discover what opposition his men faced, and on 1 occasion, when fired upon by a hostile machine gun, advanced alone and eliminated the enemy emplacement with a hand grenade. When a strong German attack threatened to overrun friendly positions, he moved through withering artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, reorganized confused infantry units whose leaders had become casualties, and exhorted them to hold firm. Although wounded early in battle, he continued to direct fire from his advanced position until he was disabled by a high-explosive shell which shattered his arm, forcing him to withdraw. He was last seen at a medical aid station which was subsequently captured by the enemy. By his superb courage, inspiring leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit, 1st Lt. Leonard enabled our forces to hold off the enemy attack and was personally responsible for the direction of fire which destroyed 6 German tanks.”

Turney Leonard is believed to have died on November 7, 1944.

In 1946, Kommerscheidt resident, Alfred Hutmacher was helping authorities locate the remains of soldiers who had died in the November 1944 battle when he found Leonard’s Texas A & M ring.  Not thinking much of it, he set it aside.  There it remained until 2000, when Hutmacher’s son-in-law, Obit Lossner, learned of the ring and vowed to return it.

A & M flew Lossner to Texas where he presented the ring to survivors of the Leonard family at a Veterans Day ceremony.  Today the ring remains on permanent display at Texas A & M University.  Medal of Honor recipient, Turney Leonard rests at Dallas’ Grove Hill Memorial Park.

Thanks again Joel for bringing this amazing story to our attention.

One Response to “World War II Medal of Honor: Turney Leonard”

  1. Joel Harrell says:

    Mike,

    Thanks very much for posting this for 1st. Lt. Turney Leonard, and his family. I am pleased with and proud of all our veterans, and to be able to bring to light the contribution of Texas Aggies to the armed forces.

    Sincerely and with best wishes,

    Joel

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