The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Leonard Anthony Morgan, who died in the service of his country on May 22nd, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Leonard was 19 years of age. He was from Detroit, Michigan. Leonard is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 20E, Line 85.
The decorations earned by SP4 Leonard Anthony Morgan include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
(From friend Mike Rhine, mulldogg02@aol.com)
I grew up with Lenny in Detroit. I saw him the day before he left for Nam, pumping gas into his car at a nearby gas station, and told him to be careful. That was the last time I ever saw him. I then learned from my best friend that Lenny had been KIA. I attened his funeral, closed casket, and played Taps at the cemetery. I still have the newspaper article about his death. Two months after Lenny was killed I enlisted in the Army and spent 18 months In-Country. To this day, I still feel bad about his death. I salute you for your sacrifice and will always remember you as a man and a soldier.
(Obituary)
A 19-year old Detroit soldier was among 101 U.S. servicemen identified by the Defense Department today as having been killed in Vietnam.
He was Army Specialist 4 Leonard A. Morgan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard W Morgan, 9599 Longacre. A machine gunner in the 25th Infantry Division, he was killed May 22 during a firefight with the Viet Cong.
A former Detroit News paperboy, Morgan was in another firefight three days before his death, and he wrote his parents about that one.
"The bitter fighting lasted from 6 p.m. to 4.am." he wrote. "Once I heard two soldiers yelling for help. I wanted to go out after them but I thought they might be the enemy". Morgan decided to take the risk and was able to aid his wounded American comrades.
"Maybe he took another risk Monday" (May 22),his mother said softly.
Prior to his induction in April, 1966, he was employed for six months with Chrysler Corporation. He was a 1965 graduate of St. Cecilia's High School.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters, Gilda, 20, and Iris, 17.
Leonard is buried at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
His BSV Citation:
General Orders Number 1652, HHC 4th Division, 30 June 1967
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 May 1967, Specialist Four Morgan distinguished himself while serving as an Infantryman in Company B, 1/35th Infantry, which was carrying out a search and Destroy mission near Duc Pho. As the lead elements of the company entered a small village they received heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. The lead platoon immediately began to engage the enemy, but the success of their struggle was jeopardized by one enemy machine gun so positioned that it could deliver formidable and highly accurate fore on the advancing platoon. Completely disregarding the peirl to his life, Specialist Four Morgan charged forward through a hail of enemy fire and single-handedly destroyed the enemy position. He was mortally wounded during this courageous attempt, but by his timely and decisive action, a grave danger to his platoon was eliminated; and the lives of many of his comrades were saved. His initiative and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy were an inspiration to all the men of his platoon and aided greatly in the accomplishment of the unit's mission. Specialist Four Morgans indomitable bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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