Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Patrick James Leonard received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 17, 1870 in Little Blue, Nebraska during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company C, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Leonard was 22 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 22, 1870. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.
Leonard was born on May 19, 1847 in County Clare, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Leonard died on January 24, 1899 in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 51. He is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in New Almelo, Kansas.
Leonard is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Indian Wars.
Places
Timeline
- May 19, 1847Born in County Clare, Ireland
- May 17, 1870Act of valor — Little Blue, NebraskaAge 22. Company C, 2d U.S. Cavalry
- June 22, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- January 24, 1899Died in Kansas City, MissouriAge 51.
- Resting placeSt. Joseph's CemeteryNew Almelo, Kansas
Biography
Patrick James Leonard (May 19, 1847 – January 1, 1899) was a United States Army sergeant who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars. Until 1984, it was believed that Leonard was a double recipient of the Medal of Honor. However, another Irishman, Patrick Thomas Leonard, had also received the Medal of Honor.
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