Leonard C. Brostrom - Combat - Leyte

Leyte

Leyte, the third largest of the Philippine Islands was invaded by Brostrum and the rest of the 7th Division on October 20, 1944. Brostrum in Company F, 2nd Battalion of the 17th Regiment attacked from the center, driving down the Dulag–Burauen Road. Within 48 hours they had captured San Pablo, Burauen, and Bayug Airfield.

On October 27, 1944 the 17th took the strong points south of the town of Dagami. At 7:30 AM, 0730 hours in military time, Brostrum, "a lead scout" with Company F struck out on the left flank of the attack. Their job with the rest of the 2nd Battalion was to envelope Dagami from the American left to pin and destroy Japanese Army resistance in the town.

Brostrum with the lead assault platoon of Company F encountered "withering fire from pillboxes, trenches, and enemy spider holes.". The enemy were well entrenched and camouflaged. Enemy fields of fire were well calculated with criss-crossing machine gun bunkers supported by infantry in trenches. PFC Brostrum was hit by enemy weapon fire three times as he fought his way through a bamboo thicket that was part of the enemy line. Brostrum dashed to the rear of a large enemy machine gun bunker/pillbox. During his charge from the bamboo thicket he was visible not only to the rest of his company, but to the Japanese riflemen shooting at him as well. As he threw several grenades into the bunker, six Japanese infantrymen charged with bayonets fixed. Brostrum was able to kill one and wound others causing them to retreat. Brostrum was hit a fourth time and fell to the ground. Again, in view of the Americans and Japanese soldiers he rose to his feet and assaulted the bunker with grenades and rifle fire. The enemy ran out of the bunker as Brostrum fell seriously wounded.

"Staff Sergeant Paul Doty and PFC's Howard J. Evans and Eldridge V. Sorenson, who had caught up with Brostrom by this time," killed many of the fleeing enemy and called for a medic. PFC Brostrum was carried to the aid station but sucumbed to his wounds.

During the same combat action and time period, PFC John F. Thorson, from Company G, attacked an enemy trench with his BAR and was within twenty feet when he was seriously wounded. The rest of his platoon rushed forward sweeping the enemy from the trench line. An enemy grenade landed nearby and Thorson rolled on top of it to protect his buddies. He was killed instantly.

Private First Class Brostrum, Company F, is one of the only two members of the 17th Infantry Regiment to have received the Medal of Honor for their actions in combat. The other was PFC John F. Thorson from Company G.