History Leonard Roy Harmon

harmon, born in cuero, texas, 22 years of age when enlisted in u. s. navy in june 1939. trained mess attendant, 1 of few jobs available black men in navy @ time. basic job description consisted of serving food officers , crew aboard ship. however, members of ship’s crew trained in damage control , had stations report during general quarters.

during service became mess attendant first class , serving aboard uss san francisco (ca-38) when on november 12, 1942 killed in action. during course of naval battle of guadalcanal assigned assist pharmacist s mate lyndford bondsteel in caring wounded. while doing deliberately interposed himself between bondsteel , enemy gunfire in order protect shipmate. action resulted in death.