World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Leon Abbott Atkinson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Richmond, Virginia
Honored By
MC 1943
DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY ON MAY 2, 1942 FOLLOWING TRAINING, HE SERVED IN THE 2ND ARMORED DIVISION, ENGINEER BATTALION, UNDER GENERAL GEORGE PATTON. PARTICIPATED IN THE WESTERN TASK FORCE LANDING OF 'OPERATION TORCH' AT SAFI, MOROCCO ON NOVEMBER 8, 1942 AND SUBSEQUENTLY ADVANCED WITH HIS UNIT TO TUNISIA DETECTING AND REMOVING LAND MINES. HE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE OPERATION HUSKY LANDING AT GELA, SICILY ON JULY 9-10, 1943. RECEIVED A MEDICAL DISCHARGE AFTER BEING WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL IN THE BATTLE FOR SICILY, HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART.