11 Easy Street, Troy, NY 12180 info@leonardcamp168.org (518) 261-0321

Our Namesake

The Camp Was Named after

SGT. Joseph (Melvin) Leonard
Aug 28, 1876 – Sept 23, 1946

Born in Cohoes, NY the son of James Leonard and Mary Melvin of Irish Immigrants. Joseph Leonard entered the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as Joseph Melvin (his Mother’s maiden name) at Brooklyn, NY on 7 June 1897.

Pvt. Leonard (Melvin) arrived in the Philippines with the Marine Detachment with the U.S.S. Helena PG-9. As one of three Marines recognized being attached to the 8th Army Corps, Pvt. Leonard (Melvin) was involved in the jungle fighting in the Philippine Insurrection and was cited for “distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle” for actions on March 25, 27, 29 and April 4, 1899. During this time, the 8th Army Corps was involved in clearing the insurgents from the vicinity of Manila and captured the rebel capital of Malolos. This action forced insurgent leader Emilio Aguinaldo’s “government” northward into the mountains.

The other men awarded Medals of Honor for these actions in this incident were:
Private Howard Buckley and Corporal Thomas Prendergast.

Later in life he was a Copper Miner in Montana where he married Grace Cunningham in 1911. Joseph Leonard re-entered the USMC in time for World War I on 19 April 1918 at Cleveland, Ohio and was honorably discharged once again on July 3, 1919 at Quantico, VA. He did good service and ranked out of his career in the service as a Sergeant.

Later in life as a widower he migrated to California and lived the rest of his days, passing at the age of 70 on September 23rd, 1946 in Yountville, CA at the Veterans Home of California Cemetery.

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