THE WALL OF FACES

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and I will have you in my thoughts. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.

Rest in peace with the warriors.

SPECIALIST 4



LEONARD LOUIS ALVARADO





who served with





COMPANY D



2nd BATTALION



12th CAVALRY REGIMENT



" SEMPER PARATUS "



1st CAVALRY DIVISION



" FIRST TEAM "





was posthumously awarded the





DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



PURPLE HEART



NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL



VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL



REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL











THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL



AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL











YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN



NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE







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CITATION FOR POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF THE



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross ( Posthumously ) to Leonard Louis Alvarado, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Specialist Four Alvarado distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 August 1969 while serving as a rifleman during a mission to relieve a beleaguered sister platoon in Phuoc Long Province. As he and other members of the small reaction force moved through dense jungle, Specialist Alvarado detected enemy movement and opened fire. Despite his quick reaction, he and his comrades were quickly pinned down by the hostile force that blocked the path to the trapped platoon. Specialist Alvarado quickly moved forward through the hostile machine gun fire in order to engage the enemy troops. Suddenly an enemy grenade exploded nearby, wounding and momentarily stunning him. Retaliating immediately, he killed the grenadier just as another enemy barrage wounded him again. He crawled forward through the fusillade to pull several comrades back within the hastily-formed perimeter. Realizing that his element must break away from the hostile force, he began maneuvering forward alone. Though repeatedly thrown to the ground by exploding satchel charges, he continued advancing and firing, silencing several emplacements, including one enemy machine gun position. From his dangerous forward position, he persistently laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces, and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered that he had succumbed to his wounds. Specialist Four Alvarado's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were 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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R E M E M B R A N C E

Leonard, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you for protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.
A true American Hero.

leonard l alvarado is my father, he was killed when i was 10 months old. if you have a story you would like to share write me at [email protected] THANK YOU
LENORA ALVARADO