- SURNAME
Leyden
- FORENAME
John Roger
- UNIT
3rd Raider Battalion (Company I)
- RANK
Gunnery Sergeant
- NUMBER
249877
- DATE OF DEATH
1st November 1943
- AGE
27
- GRAVESITE
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA. Section 13, Site 884
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 10.05.1916, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
father John Edward Leyden (1847-1919)
mother Blanche Helen (nee Partello) Leyden (1876-1944)
Next of kin - Sister, Mrs Marie L. Schurz, North 25th Street, Arlington, Virginia
KIA Puruate Island, Solomon Islands
posthumous Silver Star
DATE OF DEATH:
01-Nov-1943AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/leyden-john-roger.58417/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant John R. Leyden (MCSN: 249877), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1943. During the landing attack of the THIRD Marine Division, Reinforced, at Puruate Island, Gunnery Sergeant Leyden was in charge of a five-man combat team detailed from his platoon to clear the trees of hostile snipers. After the platoon had passed through an area under severe mortar barrage, he remained behind with his combat team, courageously directing his men in attacking and killing snipers stationed in that zone. Although he successfully accomplished his mission in the face of a terrific shelling by Japanese mortars and automatic rifles, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His courageous action in clearing the area of snipers was a major factor in the securing of our beachhead and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/37393FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49247703/john-roger-leyden
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