Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
Pierre Leon
- Rank: Captain of the Forecastle
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Baron De Kalb - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: December 23 - 27, 1862
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Yazoo River, Mississippi, USA
Served on board the U.S.S. Baron De Kalb, Yazoo River Expedition, 23 to 27 December 1862. Proceeding under orders up the Yazoo River, the U.S.S. Baron De Kalb, with the object of capturing or destroying the enemy's transports, came upon the steamers John Walsh, R .J. Locklan, Golden Age, and the Scotland sunk on a bar where they were ordered fired. Continuing up the river, she was fired on, but upon returning the fire, caused the enemy's retreat. Returning down the Yazoo, she destroyed and captured larger quantities of enemy equipment and several prisoners. Serving bravely throughout this action, Leon, as captain of the forecastle, "distinguished himself in the various actions."
- Accredited to: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details:
Medal of Honor mailed to his commanding officer on May 26, 1863, Leon acknowledged receipt of the Medal via letter on June 11, 1863.
- Born: August 23, 1838, Italy
- Died: December 7, 1915, Riverside, NJ, United States
- Buried: St. Peter's Cemetery (MH), Burlington, NJ, United States