Leonard R. Harmon Purple Heart

[Thrifter_01]

I am aware of the history that is behind the name of this Purple heart. Because of that, I would like other voices to chime in on if this is a very elaborate fake, or is real. 

 

[USMCR79]

Looks like the Real Deal to me - why would you think this may be a fake?

 

Bill 

[Thrifter_01]

15 minutes ago, USMCR79 said:

Looks like the Real Deal to me - why would you think this may be a fake?

 

Bill 

 

Thank you for chiming in. When doing research on the individual and his service, the medal just seemed to me to be a case of too good to be true. Since I know these types of medals are faked a lot.

[manayunkman]

That’s a beautiful medal that anyone would be proud to care for.

 

I don’t think that anyone has mastered this type of engraving but I could be wrong.

 

Regardless great find.

[manayunkman]

What is the history?

[Blacksmith]

Rest in peace brave sailor.

 

“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Mess Attendant First Class Leonard Roy Harmon, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during action against enemy Japanese naval forces near Savo Island in the Solomon Islands on the night of on 12–13 November 1942. With persistent disregard of his own personal safety, Mess Attendant First Class Harmon rendered invaluable assistance in caring for the wounded and assisting them to a dressing station. In addition to displaying unusual loyalty in behalf of the injured Executive Officer, he deliberately exposed himself to hostile gunfire in order to protect a shipmate and, as a result of this courageous deed, was killed in action. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, maintained above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

 

[manayunkman]

Yes RIP

[aerialbridge]

100% real and absolutely a historic WW2 Navy KIA Purple Heart.   And very historic for anyone interested in Black History,  Navy or otherwise.   Harmon, a native of Texas, was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously and one of 11 USS San Francisco sailors KIA at Savo Island to have destroyer escorts named after them- the first black man in the Navy to have a ship named after him.  The ship was sponsored by his mother, Mrs. Naunita Harmon Carroll (1893-1956), who would have received the Purple Heart you now own in Texas.  The BEQ at NAS North Island on Coronado peninsula at San Diego, Harmon Hall was named for him in 1975. 

 

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-profiles/harmon-crouter-san-francisco.html

 

https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/6530

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Roy_Harmon

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Harmon_(DE-678)

 

I'm the caretaker of the KIA Purple Heart and Good Conduct to Harmon's chief on USS San Francisco,  Chief Commissary Steward Ernest Baca.   The two men were both Pearl Harbor survivors on Frisco,  Harmon mustering in 1939 and Baca in 1936.   Baca survived Savo Island on Frisco, and the kamikaze sinking of his ship, USS Ommaney Bay at Lingayen, PI on 1/4/45 only to die from wounds a couple days later when the ship that rescued him and other sailors, was hit by a kamikaze.  He was one of seven Ommaney Bay survivors to die from kamikaze strikes on the light cruiser Columbia on 1/4 and 1/9/45.

 

https://ussslater.org/sanfrancisco

 

[aerialbridge]

Respectfully suggest that Moderator consider moving this very historic, officially engraved World War Two  Navy Purple Heart thread to the Medals Section for permanent archiving and correct the typo that says  "Leonard R. Harmon Purple Heat."  Perhaps change to  "MA1c Leonard R. Harmon KIA Purple Heart, USS San Francisco, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal" or something similar. 

[Thrifter_01]

First off, thank you all for helping to confirm the authenticity of the medal. I had planned to confirm it was real here and then make a post in the medal section, but transferring the thread would be better at this point. 

[aerialbridge]

 

1 hour ago, Thrifter_01 said:

First off, thank you all for helping to confirm the authenticity of the medal. I had planned to confirm it was real here and then make a post in the medal section, but transferring the thread would be better at this point. 

 

You own a great Purple Heart-  by all means, if you were planning to start a thread in the Medals Section,  go right ahead.   And feel free to add anything I wrote or linked to if you want.   The only reason I suggested moving this post, is that I've seen great medals shown in places other than the Medals Section that don't often end up there with their own post. 

[Kurt Barickman]

😯 that’s a great early PH to an epic battle. Absolutely real and a beautiful, early engraving.

 

Congrats, 

 

Kurt

[KASTAUFFER]

Beautiful medal and one heck of a find.  You should go back to the place you found it and ask if they have any more medals, especially his Navy Cross.  Most likely it would be an early black widow medal.

 

Kurt

[Thrifter_01]

Thank you all for your kind comments. I'm lucky to have found it, and honored to be it's caretaker.

 

On 4/4/2022 at 6:47 PM, KASTAUFFER said:

Beautiful medal and one heck of a find.  You should go back to the place you found it and ask if they have any more medals, especially his Navy Cross.  Most likely it would be an early black widow medal.

 

Kurt

 

That's exactly what I tried to do when I realized what I had. Sadly when I asked about any other medals, they told me that this was the only medal they had that was named to Harmon. 

[KASTAUFFER]

33 minutes ago, Thrifter_01 said:

Thank you all for your kind comments. I'm lucky to have found it, and honored to be it's caretaker.

 

 

That's exactly what I tried to do when I realized what I had. Sadly when I asked about any other medals, they told me that this was the only medal they had that was named to Harmon. 

Navy Cross medals were not named so if they had it, they may not have known it.

 

Kurt

[Thrifter_01]

Know I am a couple days late, but bumping this up in remembering and honoring Leonard Harmon, who perished 80 years ago in the Battle of Savo Islands on the 12-13 day of November. You are not forgotten.

[Benzeen1]

Good!!