Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Military Honors: Medal of Honor, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: February 28, 1967 - KIA near Suoi Da, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam
Age: 37
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Matthew Leonard served in the Korean War (1950-1953) and was nearing his retirement from the U.S. Army when he volunteered to go to Vietnam. His selflessness and heroic actions would earn him the nation’s highest military honor—the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Leonard was born in the small town of Eutaw, Alabama, on November 26, 1929. He was an 8th grader at the segregated Avondale school when he met his childhood sweetheart and future wife, Lois (Coates), who was in the 6th grade. She recalls him “always walking the halls in his Boy Scout uniform.”

While at Ullman High School in Birmingham, Alabama, he worked at a drugstore for $15 a week to help his mother pay the bills. His father was, according to Lois, “in and out.”

At age 17, Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1947 while he was a high school junior. Soon after, he and Lois married and would later welcome five children: sons Carl and Lavon, daughters Brenda, Wanda, and Paula.

His Army career would take Leonard to the battlefields of Korea in 1950, where he served for a year. In 1956-57, the family spent time stationed in Germany. His wife told the Birmingham Real-Time News that her husband had achieved the rank of Master Sergeant but was demoted after he scuffled with a soldier who called him the n-word. “He never got that stripe back,” she said.

The family returned to the U.S. where Leonard was assigned as a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood in the Missouri Ozarks. As the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War (1959-1975) intensified, SFC Leonard watched his young recruits—only slightly older than his two sons—go to war and die.

Lois recalls Matthew telling her, “They need experienced soldiers over there.” Despite being close to his retirement, SFC Leonard volunteered to go to Vietnam. He felt that his experience could make a difference—and told friends and family that he wouldn’t likely be coming home. “He didn’t have to go,” Lois told the Birmingham Real-Time News. “I said, ‘You’re crazy. You ought not do it.’”

SFC Leonard was assigned as a platoon sergeant for Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On February 28, 1967, his platoon was attacked by a much larger enemy force near Suoi Da in South Vietnam.

Leonard’s actions to save his platoon would earn him the Medal of Honor. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His platoon was suddenly attacked by a large enemy force employing small-arms, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Although the platoon leader and several other key leaders were among the first wounded, P/Sgt. Leonard quickly rallied his men to throw back the initial enemy assaults.

During the short pause that followed, he organized a defensive perimeter, redistributed ammunition, and inspired his comrades through his forceful leadership and words of encouragement. Noticing a wounded companion outside the perimeter, he dragged the man to safety but was struck by a sniper’s bullet which shattered his left hand. Refusing medical attention and continuously exposing himself to the increasing fire as the enemy again assaulted the perimeter, P/Sgt. Leonard moved from position to position to direct the fire of his men against the well-camouflaged foe.

Under the cover of the main attack, the enemy moved a machine gun into a location where it could sweep the entire perimeter. This threat was magnified when the platoon machine gun in this area malfunctioned. P/Sgt. Leonard quickly crawled to the gun position and was helping to clear the malfunction when the gunner and other men in the vicinity were wounded by fire from the enemy machine gun.

P/Sgt. Leonard rose to his feet, charged the enemy gun, and destroyed the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire. He moved to a tree, propped himself against it, and continued to engage the enemy until he succumbed to his many wounds. His fighting spirit, heroic leadership, and valiant acts inspired the remaining members of his platoon to hold back the enemy until assistance arrived.

P/Sgt. Leonard’s profound courage and devotion to his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and his gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

SFC Matthew Leonard, age 37, was six months shy of retiring from the U.S. Army, having served nearly 20 years. He and Lois had discussed plans to do a lot of fishing and maybe start a small business. He instead gave his life to serve his country and to protect the young soldiers he had trained.

He is laid to rest with his fellow soldiers at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, in his home state of Alabama. SFC Leonard is honored at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington D.C., his name inscribed on Panel 15E, Line 119.

Sources
Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation: The Story of William (Bill) Matthew Leonard, Veteran of Korea and Vietnam
Birmingham Real-Time News, Nov. 2, 2016: ‘I have to die in Vietnam,’ Alabama Medal of Honor soldier told childhood sweetheart
Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Matthew Leonard
U.S. Department of Defense—Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Leonard
Birmingham Post-Herald, March 4, 1967: Alabamian Dies In Viet
HonorStates.org: Matthew Leonard
Together We Served: Leonard, Matthew, SFC
The Historical Marker Database: Matthew Leonard
Burial Site: Find a Grave