World War II Honoree

Leonard J. Prusak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

St. Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY FEBRUARY 11, 1941 AT FORT SNELLING, MINNESOTA. SERVED WITH ABLE COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES. WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON BATAAN, HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE COUNTERATTACK BY THE 31ST REGIMENT AT ABUCAY HACIENDA. REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: BRONZE STAR AND A PURPLE HEART. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.