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Photo #   NH 106304:   Private First Class Leonard F. Mason, USMC

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Private First Class Leonard F. Mason, USMC, (1920-1944)

Leonard Foster Mason was born on 2 February 1920 in Middlesboro, Kentucky. He moved to Lima, Ohio and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in 1942. After completing recruit training at the Marine Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, he departed for combat duty in the Pacific war zone. A month after joining the Third Marines, Third Marine Division, he participated in the Bougainville campaign. While serving with the Marines, he attained the rank of Private First Class.

On 22 July 1944, Mason served as an Automatic Rifleman with the Second Battalion of his division against Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead on Guam, Marianas Islands. Held-up and fired upon in a narrow gully, he bravely climbed out alone to the enemy's rear position. Critically wounded while pressing forward with his attack, he bravely cleared out the hostile position. Evacuated to a hospital ship, he later succumbed to his wounds. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Leonard F. Mason is listed on the "Wall of the Missing" at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852), (1946-1976), was named in honor of Private First Class Leonard F. Mason.

This page features the only image we have concerning Leonard F. Mason.


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Photo #: NH 106304

Private First Class Leonard F. Mason, USMC


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 222.
Leonard F. Mason was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving as an Automatic Riflemen attached to Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in action against Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead on Guam, Marianas Islands, 22 July 1944.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 50KB; 555 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class Leonard Foster Mason, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 215):

"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 Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third 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 two enemy machine guns not more than 15 yards away while clearing out hostile positions holding up the advance of his platoon through a narrow gully, Private First Class 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, Private First Class Mason grimly pressed forward and had just reached his objective when hit again by a burst of enemy machine-gun 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 five 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 Private First Class Mason and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 1 December 2008