Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He posthumously received the award (presented to his daughter) from President Barack Obama at the White House on March 18, 2014, for his actions as a specialist four with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne), US Army, on August 12, 1969, in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam. He joined the US Army in July 1968 and following his recruit and combat training, he was sent to South Vietnam. While on a mission to rescue a trapped American platoon, his company was attacked by enemy forces, and was pinned down. He was wounded several times, but took out several enemy gun positions, and while in the process of covering suppressing fire, he died of his wounds. His award came as a result of a Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal, among others, during his tour in South Vietnam. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969. On that day, as Specialist Four Alvarado and a small reaction force moved through dense jungle en route to a beleaguered friendly platoon, Specialist Four Alvarado detected enemy movement and opened fire. Despite his quick reaction, Specialist Four Alvarado and his comrades were soon pinned down by the hostile force that blocked the path to the trapped platoon. Specialist Four Alvarado quickly moved forward through the hostile machinegun fire in order to engage the enemy troops. Suddenly, an enemy grenade exploded nearby, wounding and momentarily stunning him. Retaliating immediately, he killed the grenadier just as another enemy barrage wounded him again. Specialist Four Alvarado crawled forward through the fusillade to pull several comrades back within the hastily-formed perimeter. Realizing his element needed to break away from the hostile force, Specialist Four Alvarado began maneuvering forward alone. Though repeatedly thrown to the ground by exploding satchel charges, he continued advancing and firing, silencing several emplacements, including one enemy machinegun position. From his dangerous forward position, he persistently laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces, and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered that he had succumbed to his wounds. Specialist Four Alvarado'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."