[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO NORMAN LEONARD

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor TSgt Norman 
Leonard, a hero from World War II and the Korean War.
  Norman was born in 1925 in North Jackson, OH.
  In 1943, Norman enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served on the 
aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill. During his 2 years in the South China 
Sea, Norman was involved in 11 major battles.
  Two days after he left the Bunker Hill, the carrier was hit by two 
kamikazes and over 400 servicemen were killed.
  Private First Class Leonard returned to the United States and joined 
the Air Force. He deployed to Germany where he served with the Allied 
Forces from 1948 until 1951. From Germany, Norman was deployed to 
Taegu, Korea, from 1953 to 1954. In Korea, Staff Sergeant Leonard 
worked on the F86 fighter bombers.
  Twenty years after he enlisted in the Air Force, Norman retired.
  He went to Bible school and worked as a pastor in Nebraska, Colorado, 
and Minnesota.
  Norman and his wife moved to Billings 15 years ago to be close to 
their son and grandchildren.
  Earlier this month, it was my honor to present Norman his Korean War 
Service Medal and his Official Citation from the Republic of South 
Korea on the 50th Anniversary of the War.
  These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of 
true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. They are presented 
on behalf of a nation that will never forget Norman Leonard's 
heroism.

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