Private Joseph (Melvin) Leonard's Congressional Medal of Honor Story

Continued from Joseph Leonard (1876-1946): Cohoes, NY Resident and Medal of Honor Recipient

On 4 June 1899 the Washington Times published an article entitled An Ensign Praised by Admiral Dewey. I re-published the first part of the article as part of my post yesterday, honoring the service of Private Joseph Leonard, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as Joseph Melvin and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in the Philippine-American War. He was stationed on the USS Helena (PG-9) when Ensign Cleland Davis, who led the Colt automatic gun crew on which Joseph Leonard served, volunteered to support the Army during what became known as the Malolos Campaign.

"Ensign Davis' Account

The report of Ensign Davis is addressed to Commander W. T. Swinburne, of the Helena. He reported to General MacArthur, under orders received February 27, and remained on the firing line at Caloocan until March 23, when, with the army's artillery he went to La Loma church. His description of the campaign and comments on the Colt gun follow:

On March 25 operations commenced. The general plan of advance was as follows: General MacArthur was in command. His division consisted of the First Brigade, Brig. Gen. H. G. Otis, on the left, composed of the Third Artillery, Kansas and Montana regiments, and the Second Brigade, Brigadier General Hale, on the right, composed of the Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Nebraska regiments. The divisional artillery was in the centre, which rested at La Loma Church.

La Loma Church in 1900; courtesy of Wikipedia

This general formation was maintained until Malinta was reached, the centre advancing along the Caloocan-Novaliches road to Cabalahan [sic] thence along the Malinta-Novaliches road to Malinta, the right wing swinging so as to preserve the front. At Malinta, the division was joined by Brigadier General Wheaton's independent brigade, consisting of the Third and Twenty-second infantry, the Oregon and part of the Minnesota regiment, which had advanced along the railroad from Caloocan. From there on this brigade was in reserve, guarding the railroad communications. The front was now contracted and the advance continued with the centre along the railroad track.

Railroad north from Manila to Dagupan from Fighting in the Philippines;
courtesy of Internet Archive

The character of the country was extremely favorable for defensive warfare. The fields were rice land covered with numerous copses of dense bamboo thicket. There was a network of tide water rivers, mostly unfordable. In addition the enemy had built strong entrenchments from ten to twenty-five feet thick at short intervals along the roads, on the river banks and especially along the railroad. These trenches were of modern type. The advance of the army was so rapid that the enemy had no time to destroy the iron railroad bridges and the unfordable streams were crossed on these with little delay, the mules and horses swimming.

U.S. Army artillery battery near Caloocan. Private Leonard's gun detachment
spent most its time during the Malolos Campaign with the artillery. Philippine-
American War, 1899-1902; courtesy of Center for Military History

The detachment[1] under my command went into action in the following engagements: Near Cabalahan [sic] on March 25, covering with artillery the advance of the Montana and Pennsylvania regiments against strong entrenchments on the Malinta-Novaliches road. In the afternoon of the same day a platoon of thirty men from Fourth Cavalry found the enemy strongly fortified on the opposite bank of the Tulihan River and engaged with heavy loss to themselves. The Colt gun with one piece of artillery went into action under heavy fire on the left of the road and the enemy shortly fled from his entrenchments.

At the Marialo River March 28, the detachment advanced under cover to within seventy-five yards of the enemy's trenches, strongly thrown up on the bank across the river and my a sweeping fire covering the trench, which was about 150 feet long, silenced the enemy's fire and enabled the artillery to come up on the open road to within seventy yards of them. Twenty-three of them surrendered in this trench, though a deep river was between. Some twenty-odd who attempted to escape were nearly all shot down. As an instance of the accuracy of the Colt gun, Colonel Funston, of the Twentieth Kansas and Assistant Surgeon Smith, attached to the artillery, reported that one man was found dead with five holes in his body in a space that could be covered with a hand, all made by the 6-mm. bullets from the Colt gun as he attempted to escape.

Alexander, Joseph H. The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of
Valor,  (New York, NY: HaperCollins, 1997), page 26

At Guigunto on March 29 the enemy was encountered in force on the opposite bank of the river retreating before the advance of our troops to a fringe of woods about 1,500 yards distant, from which they poured in a heavy and destructive fire as we crossed the river on the railroad bridge. Our troops were here under a great disadvantage, their Springfield rifles not being effective at this range. My detachment crossed the bridge under this fire and opened up at a range of from 1,600 to 1,900 yards with, it is believed, good effect.

Near Malolos, on March 31, the artillery and the Colt gun commenced the action and in a few minutes the enemy retreated from behind strong entrenchments. After the artillery had driven them from their works the Colt gun kep up a fire on the retreating enemy up to a range of 2,000 yards. Malolos was then occupied with little resistance.

Bocaue Burns from Philippine-American War, 1899-1902; courtesy of the
Center for Military History

On April 4 I took part with my detachment in a reconnaissance northward as far as the Quingua River, where the enemy was encountered in some force, fortified on the opposite bank.

I returned to the ship on April 5 in obedience to your orders of the 3rd instant.

In my opinion the efficiency of the automatic gun in operation on shore was amply demonstrated in this campaign. The light weight of the gun and ammunition and its simplicity of handling makes it available for varied uses. As an adjunct to artillery, especially as the modern tendency seems to be toward close ranges, it would seem to be invaluable. A gun, tripod, and 2,500 rounds of ammunition, the whole weighing less than 260 pounds, could be readily carried on the limber of each piece. But two men would be required to set it up and operate it, and it would be equivalent to the support of a company of infantry with the additional advantages of being able to fire over the heads of advancing troops with perfect safety, as was done at Guiguinto. Its portability is such that it could form part of the equipment of each infantry company or cavalry, and it is so small and compact that it can be taken with its tripod almost anywhere a man can go. Another point is its value for high angle fire. The value of a battery of such guns to a regiment is obvious. During the campaign about 4,500 rounds were fired from the gun. An examination of the barrel and mechanism shows the whole to be in excellent condition after a total of over 7,000 rounds had been fired from it. The Winchester ammunition furnished proved to be defective and not fit to be used in the gun. The U. M. C. ammunition was satisfactory in every respect. The last 2,500 rounds were fired without a single jam.

The conduct of the detachment is deserving of commendation.

I cannot refrain from expressing my admiration at the skill with which the campaign was conducted and of the valor, endurance and cheerfulness of the American troops."

Very Respectfully
Ensign Cleland Davis, U.S. Navy

It should be noted that Ensign Davis' report was forwarded by Commander Swinburne up the chain of command and to the Navy's Bureau of Navigation. The Bureau Chief did not agree with Admiral Dewey's commendation for Ensign Davis but did recommend Davis, Prendergast, Buckley and Melvin for the Congressional Medal of Honor on 8 June 1899. The Nation's highest military honor was conferred on the three enlisted men, but not Ensign Davis, on 8 July. Private Joseph Leonard was presented with his medal in December 1901 when he was stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington Navy Yard.

The first two endorsements required for the Congressional Medal of
Honor. Congressional Series Set, Annual Reports of the Navy Department
for 1899. (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1899), pages
942-946; courtesy of Google Play

Private Leonard was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on 6 June 1902.

Cleland Davis invented the Davis gun, the first recoiless gun in 1910. It was known as the Davis gun. He died in 1948 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Corporal Thomas Francis Prendergast has not been located. Private Howard Major Buckley died in 1941 and was interred at Wheeler Cemtery in Wheeler, New York.

__________________
[1] Ensign Cleland Davis' detachment consisted of Corporal Thomas Francis Prendergast and privates Howard Major Buckley and Joseph Melvin.

Joseph Leonard (1876-1946): Cohoes, NY Resident and Medal of Honor Recipient
Joseph Leonard's Service in World War I: Just in Time for Meuse-Argonne

Joseph Leonard (1876-1946): Cohoes, NY Resident and Medal of Honor Recipient

Pete and I walked through West End Park in Cohoes, New York, one Sunday afternoon, photographing honor roll memorials for Heather Wilkinson Rojo's Honor Roll Project. On Veterans Day 2017 a dedication ceremony was held to commemorate the refurbishment of the Cohoes Civil War Memorial, which was originally erected in 1910.

Civil War Memorial in West End Park, Cohoes, New York.Recently refurbished and
re-dedicated; personal collection

The park may be accessed from Columbia Street between Matsen Avenue and Walnut Street. Behind the Civil War Memorial are several honor rolls and other veterans monuments. Of special interest to me was the monument honoring the service of Sgt. Joseph (Melvin) Leonard during the Philippine Insurrection. It is a period of history and geography about which I have recently been studying.

Monument honoring the service and sacrifice of a Cohoes Medal of Honor recipient;
personal collection

SGT. Joseph (MELVIN) LEONARD
Aug. 28, 1876-Sept. 23, 1946
Philippine Insurrection
Cohoes' Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
in the Philippine-American War

Born in Cohoes and entered the USMC as Joseph Melvin on June 7, 1897.
Leonard attached to the 8th Army Corps was involved in the jungle fighting,
clearing the insurgents from the vicinity of Manilla. He was cited for "distinguished
conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" for action on March 25, 27, 29 and
April 4, 1899. Honorably separated on June 6, 1902, he would once again serve
in World War I with the USMC and ranked out as Sergeant July 3, 1919.
Died and buried in Yountville, CA.

J.M. Leonard Camp No. 188, Cohoes, NY,
Sons of Spanish American War Veterans (SSAWV)

Joseph Leonard; courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer,
Greg Speciale

The Philippine-American War, also known as the Philippine Insurrection, lasted from 4 February 1899 until 2 July 1902. The Filipinos saw it as the continuation of their revolution against the Spanish but the U.S. viewed it as an insurrection in territory acquired from Spain through the Treaty of Paris which ended the Spanish-American War in 1898.

The war started when fighting broke out in Manilla and ended with the capture of the Philippine president by U.S. forces, though Philippine groups continued to battle for several more years. It was guerrilla warfare at its most brutal. Nearly a half a million Filipino soldiers and civilians died during the conflict.

When the Spanish-American War began, Joseph Leonard served on the USS Helena (PG-9), a Wilmington class gunboat. Joseph Leonard was part of a Marine marine detachment responsible for were responsible for security and defense of the ship. They operated the ship's brig, fought shipboard fires, and fought onshore as the occasion warranted.

USS Helena joined the Asiatic fleet in the Philippines on 10 February 1899 after transiting the Suez Canal. On 27 February 1899 Private Leonard (who served as Joseph Melvin) was temporarily attached to Gen. MacArthur's 2nd Division, along with the remainder of his gun crew, which included Ensign Cleland Davis, Corporate Thomas Francis Prendergast, and Private Howard Major Buckley. They were responsible for aiming and firing their Colt automatic gun and were assigned to MacArthur's artillery. During their assignment with 2nd Division, they participated in the Malolos Campaign.

USS Helena (PG-9) at anchor sometime between 1897-1901; courtesy of the
Library of Congress

On 4 June 1899 the Washington Times published an article entitled, An Ensign Praised by Admiral Dewey, and included an account of the fighting which earned Private Joseph (Melvin) Leonard the Medal of Honor:

"Admiral Dewey's Report

In his report Admiral Dewey says:

Ensign Davis was a volunteer for this duty ashore with the army. He was engaged in all action against the insurgents that took place on the northern front of the army between February 27 and April 4, 1899. I therefore commend him to the department, and recommend that he be advanced ten grades.

The crew of the Colt's gun consisted of Corporal Thomas Francis Prendergast and Privates Howard Major Buckley and Joseph Melvin, U.S. Marine Corps.

While the crew was not composed of volunteers, none being asked for, the men performed their duty under the most trying conditions of war in the most exemplary manner, and deserve high praise. I hope the department will reward in a suitable manner their services..."

Major Richard W. Young described the gun crew's services to the Army as follows:

"...February 27 by General MacArthur's direction, he reported to me for assignment with a Colt automatic gun and a detachment of three Marines. From that date until March 23 he was stationed at Caloocan, where on several occasions he materially assisted in quieting the firing of the insurgents. March 25, with his gun and detachment, he accompanied the artillery in the forward movement toward the Tulihan River. The gun was employed against the enemy about noon of that day near Cabalahan [sic], and toward evening a scouting party of about twenty-five dismounted cavalry from the Fourth Regiment had developed the enemy in considerable force strongly entrenched behind very elaborate works on the right or west bank of the Tulihan. The cavalry suffered severely, about 35 percent of their number being wounded or killed, when a Utah gun and Ensign Davis with the automatic gun were ordered forward and brought into position behind a fence screen within 125 yards of the insurgent position. During the approach to position, the time consumed removing obstacles and in preparation to fire, the detachments were under vicious fire, which was redoubled as soon as the guns opened. The enemy was, however, soon silenced, the automatic gun having contributed largely to the result.

March 27 Ensign Davis at his own request took a position on the Marilas [sic] River opposite the insurgent trench not more than seventy-five yards distant. Though under a heavy fire, he poured in a well-directed fire, which enabled artillery to come forward, protected by advancing infantry and assisted materially in bringing about the surrender of the insurgents in the trenches.

March 29 he brought the gun in action well to the front over the railway bridge at Garquinto [sic], under a very dangerous cross fire.

March 31 he cooperated in the artillery attack on the trenches in front of Malolos.

April 4 he went forward on a reconnaissance to the Quingua River, where he temporarily commanded one of Lieutenant Fleming's guns during the latter's absence with the other gun, and this under a heavy fire. He also pushed the automatic gun forward to a position within 250 yards of the enemy, entrenched on the opposite bank of the Quingua. Here the enemy's fire was intense. Owing to orders to return, the gun was not fired..."

"...His detachment served faithfully and bravely."

Ensign Cleland Davis' account will be told on this blog tomorrow.

________________
Joseph Leonard was born on 28 August 1876 in Cohoes, New York, to James and Mary (Melvin Leonard); he was the fourth of five known children. His parents were born in County Sligo, Ireland, but had migrated at an early age to Blackburn, England, where his father worked as a spinner in a mill processing cotton from British India. Sometime between 1871 and 1874, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Cohoes, New York, joining Mary (Melvin) Leonard's brother, Patrick. Joseph's father likely worked for Harmony Mills, spinning cotton from the southern U.S. The parents, James and Mary, returned to Blackburn by 1891 with at least their three surviving children. Joseph worked as a spinner along side his father in the cotton mills. James returned to the U.S. in 1893, the year after his mother died. He sailed on White Star Line's SS Germanic. The ship left Liverpool on 18 October and arrived in New York City on 27 October. On 7 June 1897 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Brooklyn, New York. He was discharged on 6 June 1902 in Washington, DC. During his term of service he fought in the Philippine Insurrection and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. By 1911 he lived in Coyote, Montana, and worked as a miner. Her married Grace G. Cunningham on 1 November 1911 in Lewistown. They had two children before Grace died on 16 October 1915. Joseph and Grace's children remained in Montana and were raised by their maternal grandparents. Joseph's whereabouts are not known until he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps again on 19 April 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio. He had likely been living in Youngstown at the time of his enlistment, his youngest sister settled there after returning to the U.S. in 1894. During World War I, Joseph served in France. He was discharged on 3 July 1919 in Washington, DC, as a Sergeant. He made his way back to Montana and lodged with Mr. and Mrs. Albin Stenius in Butte, where he worked as a copper miner. In 1928, he was admitted to the Pacific Branch of the U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Sawtelle, California, suffering from chronic constipation, lumbago, chronic cystitis, and hemorrhoids. His daughter, who lived in Denton, Montana, was listed as his nearest relative. He planned to live in Los Angeles when he was released. He still resided at the National Home when the 1930 census was enumerated. By 1940, he lived in San Francisco and was not working. In 1944, he became a resident of the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, where he remained until his death on 23 September 1946. He was buried at the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery. After his wife's death, he never remarried and his daughter predeceased by when she died in 1937 at the age of 25.

Joseph Leonard's Service in World War I: Just in Time for Meuse-Argonne
Honor Roll: Veterans Memorial Park, Cohoes, New York 
Honor Roll: Cohoes First Ward Memorials