Leonard Roy Harmon (1917 - 1942)

Born 21 Jan 1917 in Cuero, DeWitt, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Nov 1942 at age 25 in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

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Biography

Leonard Harmon is Notable.

Leonard Harmon served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 28 Oct 1939
Unit(s): USS San Francisco
Service ended: 13 Nov 1942

Leonard Roy Harmon was a Mess Attendant 1st Class aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38). During the battle of Guadalcanal, he "rendered invaluable assistance in caring for the wounded and assisting them to a dressing station. In addition to displaying unusual loyalty in behalf of the injured Executive Officer, he deliberately exposed himself to hostile gunfire in order to protect a shipmate and, as a result of this courageous deed, was killed in action." (From the citation for his Navy Cross.) MAtt1C Harmon was the first African-American to have a Navy warship named for him.

Leonard was born 21 January 1917 in Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas^[1] and was the son of Cornelius Harmon and Naunita White.^[2]

Leonard enlisted in the US Navy on 28 October 1939. He reported to the USS San Francisco on 30 September 1942, where he served as a Mess Attendant 1st Class.^[3] On the night of 12-13 November 1942, the San Francisco was engaged in the battle of Guadalcanal. During the battle, most of the ship's officers were killed on the bridge. As part of his battle duties, Harmon assisted the Pharmacist's Mate. They recovered the wounded, taking them to where they might be tended to. Leonard was killed as he shielded a shipmate from the gunfire.

The USS San Francisco sank in the battle. Leonard Harmon's body was never recovered. He is memorialized on the table of the lost at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.^[4]

Wikipedia: [Leonard Roy Harmon]

Sources

1. ↑ Military: "U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940"
   United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2019
   Ancestry Record 61861 #2861640 (accessed 14 May 2023)
   Name: Leonard Roy Harmon; Record Type: Military Service; Birth Date: 21 Jan 1917; Residence Place: Cuero, Texas; Death Date: 13 Nov 1942.
2. ↑ 1920 Census: "1920 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1920; Census Place: Justice Precinct 1, DeWitt, Texas; Roll: T625_1795; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 32
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6061 #109348782 (accessed 14 May 2023)
   Leonard Horman (3), single son, in household of Carlin Horman (33) in Justice Precinct 1, DeWitt, Texas. Born in Texas.
3. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949"
   National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, United States; Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 01/01/1939 - 01/01/1949; Record Group: 24, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007; Series ARC ID: 594996; Series MLR Number: A1 135
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1143 #46590369 (accessed 14 May 2023)
   Name: Leonard Roy Harmon; Ship, Station or Activity: San Francisco; Ship Number or Designation: CA-38; Muster Date: 30 Sep 1942.
4. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #56749237 (accessed 14 May 2023)
   Memorial page for MAtt1C Leonard Roy Harmon (21 Jan 1917-13 Nov 1942), citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines (plot: Tablets of the Missing - United States Navy--Buried at Sea); Maintained by Coleman ✿ (contributor 47076912).

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: Precinct 1, DeWitt, Texas; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 2342058
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #64345205 (accessed 14 May 2023)
  Leonard R Harmon (13), single son, in household of Laneta Harmon (34) on April 15 Cuero and Yookum Road, Precinct 1, DeWitt, Texas, USA. Born in Texas.