MANCHESTER RESIDENT RECEIVES PURPLE HEART 56 YEARS AFTER BATTLE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2000

MANCHESTER RESIDENT RECEIVES PURPLE HEART 56 YEARS AFTER BATTLE

MANCHESTER -- Manchester resident William Leonard will never forget
March 6, 1944. That was the day the Germany Army fired approximately 45 rounds of large artillery shells into his battery area. Fifty-six years later he has another day that he will never forget. In a ceremony presided by U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), today Leonard was presented with the Purple Heart for his bravery in battle.

Despite his injuries on March 6, 1944, Leonard insisted on helping his fellow soldiers move to a new position due to the advancement of the German Army. He has had to endure a lifetime of therapy to deal with the disability caused by the injuries he received. He was discharged from the Army on December 30, 1944.

Leonard waged a one-man battle for a number of years to obtain the Purple Heart that he had earned. He finally enlisted Congressman Larson