*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.
