Years of service 1968–1969 Died August 12, 1969 | Name Leonard Alvarado Rank Specialist | |
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Allegiance United States of America | ||
Specialist leonard l alvarado is awarded with medal of honor
Leonard Louis Alvarado (born February 13, 1947 – August 12, 1969) was a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam and a recipient, posthumously, of the Medal of Honor.
Contents
- Specialist leonard l alvarado is awarded with medal of honor
- Biography
- Medal of Honor
- Medal of Honor Citation
- Other awards and decorations
- References
Biography
Alvarado was born in Bakersfield, California on Feb. 13, 1947, and enlisted in the U. S. Army on July 25, 1968, serving in the Vietnam War. He was killed in action, leaving behind his wife and a young daughter.
Medal of Honor
Alvarado distinguished himself on Aug. 12, 1969, while serving as a rifleman during a mission to relieve a sister platoon, in Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam. Alvarado was killed in action after disrupting an enemy raid and saving the lives of several comrades.
Alvarado's daughter Lenora accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf from President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 White House ceremony.
The award came through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Other awards and decorations
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Alvarado received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" Device, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation First Class, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, Auto Rifle and Machine-Gun Bars.