World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Leonard Heartridge Drake
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Waxahachie, Texas
Honored By
Family
SERVED AS AN AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN WITH THE 2ND BATTALION, 131ST FIELD ARTILLERY, 36TH DIVISION. HE WAS A PRISONER OF WAR OF THE JAPANESE FOR 42 MONTHS WHERE HE WAS HELD IN A CAMP THAT BUILT THE BURMA-SIAM DEATH RAILWAY. RECEIVED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND THE WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.