LEONARD, TURNEY W.
Rank and organization:
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 893d Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Place and date: Kommerscheidt, Germany, 46 November 1944. Entered
service at: Dallas, Tex. Birth: Dallas, Tex. G.O. No:
74, 1 September 1945.
Citation:
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 machinegun,
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.
