LEON BEARD
VIEW ALL PHOTOS (5)
HONORED ON PANEL 30W, LINE 84 OF THE WALL

LEON BEARD

WALL NAME

LEON BEARD

PANEL / LINE

30W/84

DATE OF BIRTH

03/27/1947

CASUALTY PROVINCE

TAY NINH

DATE OF CASUALTY

03/09/1969

HOME OF RECORD

MARION

COUNTY OF RECORD

Crittenden County

STATE

KY

BRANCH OF SERVICE

ARMY

RANK

SP4

Book a time
Contact Details

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....
read more read less
POSTED ON 7.22.2020

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)]
read more read less
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.
read more read less
POSTED ON 3.9.2015
POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Vet

Thank You

Thank you Spec. 4 Beard for your leadership and courage.
read more read less
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
read more read less
1 2 3