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Memorial service Sunday for Stafford man hailed by French in fighting after D-Day Date published: 6/3/2010
By RUSTY DENNEN In the weeks after Allied troops landed at Normandy on June 6, 1944, fighting raged in southern France. A few months after D-Day, Army Sgt. Leonard Jones of Hartwood was killed as American soldiers pushed on toward Germany. His death notice in The Free Lance-Star gave no details of the battle, or how the Stafford County man was killed on Sept. 24, 1944. As far as his family and friends knew, he was one of many who died doing their duty in a spot that was neither famous nor infamous. Not until nearly a year later, when he was posthumously awarded a Silver Star, did the full account emerge. According to an Aug. 27, 1945, story in the newspaper, Jones repeatedly crossed a bridge, under fire, to coax his men to the other side. A War Department citation said Jones "crossed an open, iron bridge three times, despite enemy machine gun and sniper fire to persuade his company to make this hazardous crossing." It went on: "His fearless action made the men forget their fear and follow him, bridging the river and establishing themselves on its far side." Jones then led his unit on a successful attack on a German position until he was killed by machine gun fire. The story said his mother, Flossie Jones, accepted the medal on behalf of her son, who was buried at Hartwood Presbyterian Church. Jones' heroism remained largely unknown until a few months ago, when Anita Dodd, chairman of the Stafford County Cemetery Committee, got an unexpected e-mail from Emmanuel Delaville, a World War II historian and writer living near Normandy. Delaville was helping a colleague gather information for a story about the 3rd Infantry Division's advance in late 1944 for the French magazine Militaria. The article ran in the February issue of the publication, which delves into battles, tactics, uniforms, weapons and other war history. Delaville wanted to know more about Jones, who, it seems, became something of a local hero in France.
Date published: 6/3/2010
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