- SURNAME
Alford
- FORENAME
Leonard Willis
- UNIT
4th Raider Battalion
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-12889
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Bairoko Harbour, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 20th July 1943
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DOW - Okinawa - See Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/alford-leonard-willis.59766/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to First Lieutenant Leonard W. Alford (MCSN: 0-12889), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry in action while serving with the Fourth Marine Raider Battalion at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, while aggressively leading his platoon forward against determined opposition and, despite the loss of all but eighteen of his men, successfully fulfilling his mission on 20 July 1943.
Silver Star (Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Leonard W. Alford (MCSN: 0-12889), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, from 8 to 11 June 1945. Courageously and skillfully directing his company in a series of fiercely opposed attacks against four heavily-fortified enemy strongholds, Captain Alford dauntlessly led his men across fire-swept terrain and, exposing himself repeatedly as he moved among his men exhorting them to greater efforts and steadying them by his personal example, drove relentlessly forward and succeeded in shattering the fanatic resistance of the Japanese, thereby insuring the advance of the entire battalion. Mortally wounded during the closing phases of the bitter fighting, he steadfastly refused to relinquish command and halt the impetus of the assault until the final objective had been seized. His inspiring leadership, skilled tactics and unwavering devotion to duty were dominant factors in the successful completion of the hazardous mission and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon Captain Alford and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Silver Star (Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Leonard W. Alford (MCSN: 0-12889), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, from 8 to 11 June 1945. Courageously and skillfully directing his company in a series of fiercely opposed attacks against four heavily-fortified enemy strongholds, Captain Alford dauntlessly led his men across fire-swept terrain and, exposing himself repeatedly as he moved among his men exhorting them to greater efforts and steadying them by his personal example, drove relentlessly forward and succeeded in shattering the fanatic resistance of the Japanese, thereby insuring the advance of the entire battalion. Mortally wounded during the closing phases of the bitter fighting, he steadfastly refused to relinquish command and halt the impetus of the assault until the final objective had been seized. His inspiring leadership, skilled tactics and unwavering devotion to duty were dominant factors in the successful completion of the hazardous mission and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon Captain Alford and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
