At last, it is announced at Monday Morning Training formation that, starting this Saturday morning, there will be an Inspection every Saturday morning which will include; personal, weapon and barracks after which for those who pass, a weekend pass all the way to 0500 hours the next Monday morning.
OK, the Field First Sgt. tells us, this means every "Friday night G.I. party" everyone restricted on Friday night to preparing which includes scrubbing clean, the walls and floors and all personal belongings including ones self, to be ready for Saturday Morning.
I couldn't help but notice Leroy who always was ahead of everyone else in well organized foot and wall locker layouts, well starched uniforms, shined shoes, brass and clean rifle and too, was always helping
the others who lagged behind in their preparation, shining their brass and shoes all
with a smile on his face. That was Leroy was always helping someone or picking up
trash throughout our area of responsibility.
And on Saturday morning, of course, everyone passes, we'd kill anyone who didn't,
because if one failed, the whole squad would be restricted and "no pass" too.
Thanks Leroy, you are quite a guy. After every Friday night barracks clean-up,
Leroy would walk through out the whole place cleaning little spaces that was missed
or or overlooked, never complaining or critisizing any one, just picking up and
looking after the rest of us, always with a smile on his face, that was Leroy.
1949 Cadillac
Friday G.I. Party
Leroy was gone and never found- The Army declared him Missing in Action ever since. He was recommended for and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery. Following on the right below, is his Citation and as I have read it a 100 or more times I can never believe the fact that even though several individuals have requested an upgrade to the Medal of Honor, the Army refuses to accept it. The citation speaks for it self when it cites two different occasions where both, in my opinion merits the highest Award. If you have read other citations awarding the medal of Honor to others than I ask that you read what Leroy did and than form your own opinion. But make it known, tell others about it, maybe someone that can make a difference will read it and agree.
On the right is the Citation and I must add that Leroy carried that heavy B.A.R. for at least five months and even though the occasion came up several times to pass the heavy weapon to the next incoming replacement, Leroy always would comment that, "the new guys are so small and skinny, they would have a hard time carrying it." yet Leroy himself was barely five feet five inches him self and always added. "I just don't have the heart to do it".
Leroy also was wounded, even though slightly, most would take the advantage to go to a warm Medical tent, in a clean bed with sheets and even a pillow, getting served hot chow and all, but Leroy as always only cared for the guy next to him, always.
He would never care for any medal as I know him, but, in all fairness to all who serve, He deserves the higher recognition.
He was a Hero, even before He went to War as this website mentions his heroic actions during basic training, and after doing what He did in Combat under fire and all, please.
I have petitioned our Congressional Delegation more more than once and sent letters to the White House and never heard back, like no one wants to be bothered of this story of a "Forgotten Warrior from a Forgotten War".
This photo of Leroy
was taken on
Christmas eve 1950
We all took one, but
Only Leroy's became
Famous.
Rest in Peace Brother
The drawing on the right depicts from my memory, what I saw just before Leroy Kauhini went down.
Check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_L._Bennett for the Medal of Honor Award issued to a comrade of Leroy's for the same thing Leroy did on the second day.
