World War II Honoree

Leonard Finz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Manhattan, New York

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

SERVED AND EXCELLED AT DEFENDING U.S. SOLDIERS CHARGED WITH CRIMES AFTER WWII. HAVING NO FORMAL LAW TRAINING THEN, BUT IN THE ABSENCE OF MILITARY LAWYERS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND OF LEYTE, WHERE HE WAS STATIONED, HIS COMMANDING OFFICER ASKED THE FIRST LIEUTENANT TO SERVE AS DEFENSE COUNSEL ON MILITARY COURTS MARTIAL. THE ARMY OUTFITTED HIM WITH A JEEP AND SENT HIM INTO THE WOODS TO LOOK FOR WITNESSES. HE TRIED NEARLY 50 CASES BEFORE RECEIVING AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN AUGUST, 1946.