HONORED ON PANEL 30W, LINE 84 OF THE WALL
LEON BEARD
WALL NAME
LEON BEARD
PANEL / LINE
30W/84
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR LEON BEARD
POSTED ON 7.8.2021
POSTED BY: john fabris
honoring you...
Thank you for your service to our country sir long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....
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POSTED ON 7.22.2020
POSTED BY: [email protected]
Final Mission of SP4 Leon Beard
On March 8, 1969, B Company 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was searching for enemy infiltrating in large units from Cambodia towards Saigon west of the Vam Co Dong River in an area referred to as the “Angel’s Wing.” In the late afternoon, they were picked up by six Huey UH-1 helicopters and relocated to a large clearing near a known infiltration route close to the Cambodian border. After a short patrol, the company stopped to break for supper and rest. That evening, 1st and 2nd Platoon were sent out for ambush duty. After moving for about twenty minutes, the 27-strong 2nd Platoon set up in an uninhabited area of dry rice paddies and irrigation ditches. They put out Claymore mines and trip flares and assigned night watch duties. At approximately 10:00 PM, two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers approached their position. An illumination flare was ignited, and the enemy fled with no shots fired. Their position now known to the NVA, the platoon leader doubled watches for the rest of the night. At 12:37 AM, six approaching enemy soldiers were observed with a Starlight night scope. An artillery mission was requested and began firing three minutes later. The Americans opened up with unit weapons and took no casualties. At 3:16 AM, mortar rounds and rocket fire from a nearby wood line began falling on 2nd Platoon’s position. After suffering several killed and wounded, the men moved into the irrigation ditches where they observed lines of NVA moving to towards them. The enemy, estimated at 150-200, began to surround platoon, utilizing fire and maneuver tactics to get closer. Low on ammunition, the platoon fired only single, well-aimed shots. Air support came on station, providing some relief for the besieged platoon. By dawn, the contact slowed as the NVA withdrew with their dead back to Cambodia. Shortly after, 1st Platoon from A Company arrived and linked up without resistance. Six 2nd Platoon members were killed in the battle with sixteen wounded. The lost troopers included SP4 Leon Beard, CPL Michael P. O’Connor, PFC Steven C. Erbentraut, PFC Douglas N. Rowe, PFC David J. Horden, and PFC Donald L. Shirley. Enemy losses were placed at one hundred dead. The company was picked up by helicopters and returned to base camp where they were served a hot breakfast. O’Connor was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Robert Michalik at penandsaber.com and Steve Pipes (July 2020)]
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POSTED ON 1.3.2017
POSTED BY: Lucy Conte Micik
Remembered
DEAR SPEC 4 BEARD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY. THIS WAS THE UNIT OF A FRIEND'S TWIN. SAY HI TO MIKE. I HATE THAT YOU DIED IN THE SAME MONTH AS YOUR BIRTH. SIGH. IT IS STILL THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. IT IS NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY. THIS WAS THE UNIT OF A FRIEND'S TWIN. SAY HI TO MIKE. I HATE THAT YOU DIED IN THE SAME MONTH AS YOUR BIRTH. SIGH. IT IS STILL THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. IT IS NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.
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POSTED ON 3.9.2015
POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Vet
Thank You
Thank you Spec. 4 Beard for your leadership and courage.
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POSTED ON 3.10.2014
POSTED BY: Curt Carter [email protected]
Remembering An American Hero
Dear SP4 Leon Beard, sir
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
With respect, Sir
Curt Carter
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
With respect, Sir
Curt Carter
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