World War II hero Leonard dies months after receiving final medal

World War II veteran Davis “Dave” B. Leonard, who received a French Legion of Honor medal this year for gallantry during the U.S.-led Normandy invasion and for his role in liberating France from Nazi Germany, died Friday. He was 91.

Leonard of Henderson and Las Vegas Army veteran Gaetano “Guy” R. Benza, were presented Legion of Honor medals during a ceremony at the Silverton to mark the 70th anniversary of the June 6, 1944, invasion of France.

“Davis Leonard always reminded me what was great about America. He lived by the principles of our Founding Fathers and bravely fought for our freedom during World War II. He will be missed,” said William C. Campbell, past president of the Sun City Anthem Veterans Club, which Leonard co-founded.

Marilyn Leonard, his wife of 17 years, said her husband died from cancer. The couple had moved to Henderson in 2003 from Hacienda Heights, Calif., where he was known as a singer, having performed for California as a Shriner, for former first lady Nancy Reagan, and at such venues as Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

“He had a beautiful voice,” Marilyn said. “His favorite song was Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way.’ We had a lot of fun. I’m going to miss him telling me how much he loves me.”

Davis Berryman Leonard was born May 4, 1923, in Pasco, Wash. He enlisted in the Army Air Force Reserve in 1942 in the Seattle area and was called to active duty in February 1943.

He flew 64 combat missions as an Army 8th Air Force bombardier-navigator in B-26 Martin Marauders. He bombed enemy ammunition dumps, bridges and other targets in the battles of northern France from September 1944 to April 1945.

He was also awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.

He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and flew missions over northern France, the Rhineland and central Europe. He flew his last missions in early April 1945 before returning to the United States. He was honorably discharged as a master sergeant in 1953, and later worked for Pacific Telephone Co.

In addition to Marilyn, he is survived by three daughters and a stepdaughter; seven grandchildren and several great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Jan. 17 at the Sun City Anthem Community Center in Henderson. His ashes will be buried at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

The family prefers donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles.