Leonard M. Kravitz

Leonard M. Kravitz was a Jewish American soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in the Korean War.

Kravitz, the uncle and namesake of Jewish rocket Lenny Kravitz, grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood of New York City. His older brother, Seymour, served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and had returned home to neighborhood glory, one reason Leonard was so quick to enlist when the war in Korea broke out.

On March 6-7, 1951, Kravitz was serving as an assistant machinegunner with Company M, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division during in Yangpyong region. During this battle, the enemy launched a fanatical banzai charge with heavy supporting fire and when the main machine-gunner was wounded, Kravitz seized the weapon and poured devastating fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants. Upon order to withdraw, Kravitz voluntarily remained to provide protective fire for the retreating soldiers and fearlessly maintained his position. His retaliation caused the enemy to concentrate vicious fire on his position and enabled his comrades to complete their withdrawal.

After the position was resecured, Kravitz’ body was found lying beside the gun he had so heroically manned, and numerous enemy dead lay in and around his emplacement. Kravitz’ unflinching courage and devotion were honored with the posthumous presentation of the Distinguished Service Cross, the country's second highest military honor.

After the war, Kravitz' longtime friend Mitch Libman began to suspect that Kravitz had not received the Medal of Honor because of his Jewish background. “I came to the conclusion that they don’t give Jews the Medal of Honor,” Libman said. “And it was pretty accurate.” For decades, Libman contacted veterans groups and Korean War newsletters and told everything he learned to anybody of influence who would listen. He lobbied congress and in 2002, managed to convince Rep. Robert Wexler [D-FL] to sponsor legislation calling for the Defense Department to initiate an investigation. In May of 2012, Libman was called by President Obama to inform him that Kravitz would be getting the Medal of Honor.

On March 18, 2014, President Obama awarded Kravitz the Medal of Honor in a special ceremony at the White House for two dozen minorities who had been overlooked for the honor because of their religion, ethnicity or race.

His citation reads:

Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company M, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Yangpyong, Korea on March 6 and 7, 1951. After friendly elements had repulsed two probing attacks, the enemy launched a fanatical banzai charge with heavy supporting fire and, despite staggering losses, pressed the assault with ruthless determination. When the machine gunner was wounded in the initial phase of the action, Private First Class Kravitz immediately seized the weapon and poured devastating fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants. The enemy effected and exploited a breach on the left flank, rendering the friendly positions untenable. Upon order to withdraw, Private First Class Kravitz voluntarily remained to provide protective fire for the retiring elements. Detecting enemy troops moving toward friendly positions, Private First Class Kravitz swept the hostile soldiers with deadly, accurate fire, killing the entire group. His destructive retaliation caused the enemy to concentrate vicious fire on his position and enabled the friendly elements to withdraw. Later, after friendly troops had returned, Private First Class Kravitz was found dead behind the gun he had so heroically manned, surrounded by numerous enemy dead. Private First Class Kravitz’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Sources: U.S. Army;
ashington Post;
The Daily Beast;
Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.