b. 13/02/1947 Bakersfield, California. d. 12/08/1969 Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 12/08/1969 Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam.
Leonard L Alvarado MOH
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. 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.
The award of a posthumous Medal of Honor came through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the award. Following the review, the “Valor 24” were identified as had been the victims of prejudice, and Leonard Alvarado was one of the 24.
On March 18th, 2014, Leonora, Leonard Alvarado’s daughter was presented with her father’s posthumous Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at The White House. A Medal of Honor marker was then added to his grave in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Bakersfield, California.
MOH CITATION:
Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969. On that day, as Specialist Four Alvarado and a small reaction force moved through dense jungle en route to a beleaguered friendly platoon, Specialist Four Alvarado detected enemy movement and opened fire. Despite his quick reaction, Specialist Four Alvarado and his comrades were soon pinned down by the hostile force that blocked the path to the trapped platoon. Specialist Four Alvarado quickly moved forward through the hostile machinegun fire in order to engage the enemy troops. Suddenly, an enemy grenade exploded nearby, wounding and momentarily stunning him. Retaliating immediately, he killed the grenadier just as another enemy barrage wounded him again. Specialist Four Alvarado crawled forward through the fusillade to pull several comrades back within the hastily-formed perimeter. Realizing his element needed to break away from the hostile force, Specialist Four Alvarado began maneuvering forward alone. Though repeatedly thrown to the ground by exploding satchel charges, he continued advancing and firing, silencing several emplacements, including one enemy machinegun position. From his dangerous forward position, he persistently laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces, and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered that he had succumbed to his wounds.
BURIAL LOCATION: GREENLAWN MEMORIAL PARK, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.
HOLY CROSS SECTION, LOT D, BLOCK 64.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: HELD BY HIS DAUGHTER.
