MASON, LEONARD FOSTER - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Birth:
2 February 1920, Middleborough, 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
credit upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his
life for his country.
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