Patrick James Leonard (May 19, 1847 – January 1, 1899) was a
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
sergeant
Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...
who received the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...
during the
Indian Wars
The American Indian Wars, also known as the American Frontier Wars, and the Indian Wars, were fought by European governments and colonists in North America, and later by the United States and Canadian governments and American and Canadian settle ...
.
Until 1984, it was believed that Leonard was a double recipient of the Medal of Honor.
However, another
Irishman
The Irish ( ga, Muintir na hÉireann or ''Na hÉireannaigh'') are an ethnic group and nation native to the island of Ireland, who share a common history and culture. There have been humans in Ireland for about 33,000 years, and it has been co ...
,
Patrick Thomas Leonard, had also received the Medal of Honor.
Early life and education
Leonard was born in
County Meath
County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the sou ...
, Ireland.
Military career
Leonard enlisted at
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...
.
His actions as a sergeant at the
Little Blue River near
Little Blue Township, Adams County, Nebraska, on May 15, 1870, led to him being awarded the Medal of Honor on June 22, 1870.
While searching for stray horses near the river, Leonard and four other soldiers were ambushed by 50 Indians. The men were able to kill three Indians, and wound seven. After repelling the attack, Leonard then escorted two women and a child to the nearest settlement.
The other four soldiers (
Pvt. Thomas Hubbard,
Pvt. Heth Canfield,
Pvt. Michael Himmelsback,
Pvt. George W. Thompson) also received Medals of Honor.
Death and legacy
Leonard died on January 1, 1899, and was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery,
New Almelo, Kansas.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Little Blue, Nebr., May 15, 1870. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: June 22, 1870.
Citation:
Gallantry in action.
See also
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
Indian Wars is the name generally used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between the colonial or federal government and the Native people of North America.
The wars, which ranged from the 17th-century (King Philip's War, Kin ...
References
:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonard, Patrick James
1847 births
1899 deaths
19th-century Irish people
Irish soldiers in the United States Army
Military personnel from County Meath
American people of the Indian Wars
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients
Irish emigrants to the United States
United States Army soldiers
American Indian Wars recipients of the Medal of Honor