User:Ilutenaru/LeRoy Diamond

Corporal Leroy Diamond(MCSN: 294352), BORN: July 17, 1917 DIED: October 22, 2009 LOCATION: Rosedale, NY

one third of a trio of United States Marine Corps machine gun crew which bore the brunt of the first counter attack by the Japanese Army to regain the strategically important Solomons Island, Guadalcanal. Diamond, a Brooklyn, New York nattive enlisted in the Corps prior to Pearl Harbor. At ? He was older than the Pearl Harbor enlistees and was often refered to as Pappy. Ironically, he would out live most of his contemporaries. The three were 1st Marines, 1st Division, 2nd Battalion, Company H, 11th machine gun squad. The Japanese attack has been variously known as The Battle of, The Tenaru River, The Ilu River Battle and The Battle of The Tenaru/Alligator Creek. The confusion started as the Marines maps were mismarked/inaccurate; having the locations of the Tenaru and Ilu transfixed. Alligator Creek was a nickname given to the area by the Marines. In fact, it was a double misnomer; as there are no alligators in the Solomons(only crocodiles) and was actually a tidal lagoon! He along with Private First Class John Rivers and Private Albert Schmid were credited with over 200 Japanese killed in action. Cpl.Diamond acted as gun commander, Pfc. Rivers gunner while Pvt. Schmid was loader. The crew were awarded the Nation's second highest decoration for bravery and valor under fire, The Navy Cross. Corporal's Diamond's citation:

Awarded for actions during the World War II The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal LeRoy Diamond (MCSN: 294352), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner of the Eleventh Machine Gun Squad, Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese armed forces at the Tenaru River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 21 August 1942. Lacking the protection of riflemen, Corporal Diamond's machine gun squad was forced to tear down its frontal protection to meet the oncoming strong Japanese landing force. In spite of tremendous difficulties, the enemy attack was courageously met and repulsed by fierce and determined fighting during which Corporal Diamond was seriously wounded. His personal valor and loyal devotion to duty contributed to the defeat of the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: SPOT AWARD: Serial 18 (SofN Signed March 18, 1943) Action Date: 21-Aug-42 Service: Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Company: Company H Battalion: 2d Battalion Regiment: 1st Marines Division: 1st Marine Division