Funk, Leonard Alfred, Jr., 1ST SGT

World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipent. He enlisted in the United States Army in June 1941, and volunteered for airborne training, later earning his wings. He was assigned to Company C, 508th Parachute Infantry, at Camp Blanding, Florida, as a First Sergeant with the United States Army, later going to England with the 508th and was still with them when they became part of the 82nd Airborne Division. On June 6, 1944, he parachuted into France during the Normandy Invasion, and into Holland during the Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. He also went with his airborne unit through Belgium, across the Rhine River in Germany, to the Elbe River where the unit waited to enter Berlin as the war came to an end. He distinguished himself by gallant, intrepid actions against the enemy. After advancing 15 miles in a driving snowstorm, the American force prepared to attack through waist-deep drifts. The company executive became a casualty, and Funk took over his duties, forming headquarters soldiers into a combat unit for an assault in the face of direct artillery shelling and harassing fire from the right flank. Under his leadershipo the 3rd Platoon attacked 15 houses, and took 30 prisoners hostage without suffering a single loss. The Company then took over Holzheim, Belgium, taking 80 prisoners. Shortly thereafter a battle ensued with heavy machine-gun fire. In all 21 germans were killed, many wounded, and others captured. For his actions and bravery on January 29, 1945, Funk received his medal at the White House in August 1945. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Silver Cross, the Silver Star, and Purple Heart.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7618437/leonard-a.-funk