Pictured sitting is Mrs. Lois Leonard, standing Retired Master Sgt. Esmer Davis, Retired Platoon Sgt. Taylor Beville, Retired Staff Sgt. Don Higgins, Gunner’s Mate Dave Comfort, Retired Master Sgt. and Commander of VFW Post 2007 George Hall and Sgt. 1st Class, Vice Commander of VFW Post 6022 Jerry Tingle and Senator Singleton.

On Friday, September 23, a section of Highway 11, South in Greene County was renamed the  Matthew Leonard Memorial Highway.

Leonard, who was born in Eutaw, Alabama,  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 19, 1968 for his heroism.

He entered the Army from Birmingham, Alabama and served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

On February 28, 1967, Leonard was serving as a platoon Sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division near Suoi Da, South Vietnam. When his platoon came under attack on that day, Sergeant Leonard organized the defense and encouraged his men. Despite suffering several wounds, he continued to command and eventually charged an enemy machine gun. He was wounded again during the charge, and died soon after.

For his actions on that day, Sergeant Leonard received the Medal of Honor. Matthew Leonard is buried in Fort Mitchell, Alabama’s National Cemetery.

On May 30, 2011, a memorial for Leonard was placed on the lawn of the old Greene County Courthouse in Eutaw.

Later this year, Greene County’s State Senator Bobby Singleton helped get resolution    passed in the Alabama Senate and House renaming a part of Hwy. 11 South to honor Leonard for his heroic act.

Friday’s ceremony was attended by Leonard’s mother, Mrs. Lois Leonard, his daughter Brenda Leonard-Deals and his granddaughter Janece Holloway, Singleton and several former members of the U. S. Military as well as citizens of Greene County