Cliff researches the circumstances surrounding these killed in action (Florida Marines and Navy Corpsmen), and then reaches out to their families to offer his unique gift of a life size, uniformed bust, always without cost. While gathering pictures and personal information from the families about each of the service members, Cliff is always reminded how difficult this process is for most. When the finished bust is presented to the surviving families, whether at a formal public ceremony, a church service or quietly at Cliff’s home, there are always tears of gratitude.

In addition to his many hours of volunteer work contributed to his community, Mr. Leonard’s main and lasting contribution is his art. He shares his gift of sculpting with the grieving families of fallen Floridians who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Cliff researches the circumstances surrounding these killed in action (Florida Marines and Navy Corpsmen), and then reaches out to their families to offer his unique gift of a life size, uniformed bust, always without cost. While gathering pictures and personal information from the families about each of the service members, Cliff is always reminded how difficult this process is for most. When the finished bust is presented to the surviving families, whether at a formal public ceremony, a church service or quietly at Cliffs home, there are always tears of gratitude.

Cliff Leonard has been my next door neighbor and friend for 40 years. During this close relationship, I have observed many admirable character traits, those same traits I admired in my many service member associates during my 20 years as a Naval aviator. Dedication, sacrifice, humility and love of country define Cliff Leonard. His work is being appreciated beyond Florida. The Texas State Veterans’ Home named after Medal of Honor recipient Richard “Tex” Anderson displays a Cliff Leonard sculpted bust of its name sake. The USS Dunham, a Norfolk, Virginia commissioned destroyer, displays the bust of Medal of Honor recipient Jason Dunham. Closer to home, in Lake City, the Veterans’ Domiciliary proudly displays a bust of its name sake and Medal of Honor recipient Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Two of these three referenced heroes were members of Cliffs combat unit 3rd Recon in Vietnam.

A PBS video of Mr. Leonard’s work can be seen via a Google search of: “9 to 5 – Cliff Leonard – Sculptor”. I strongly recommend anyone reviewing this nomination to view the video. It will provide a more complete understanding of Mr. Leonard’s service to Gold Star families than I could possibly communicate in this narrative. Attached is a copy of the Marine Corps Times article about Mr. Leonard that was printed on January 27, 2014. There are numerous other news articles reporting on Mr. Leonard’s good work but they are too voluminous to attach. However, one article from the Florida Times Union in 2008 is attached.

Other attachments include notes from family members receiving a bust along with photos of several busts. List of Marines and Corpsmen finished to date:

1. Cpl. John Stockman, Vietnam, Marcus Hook, PA 
2. GySgt. Michael Clark, Iraq, Leesburg, FL
3. LCpl. Steven Stevens, II, Afghanistan, Detroit, MI — was attending FAMU
4. PFC. Donald Vincent, Afghanistan, Gainesville, FL
5. LCpl. Martin Prather, Vietnam, Louisville, KY 6. LCpl. Daniel Chairs, Iraq, Tallahassee, FL
7. Cpl. Jason Dunham, Iraq, Scio, NY Medal of Honor Recipient
8. PFC. Robert Jenkins, Vietnam, Interlachen, FL Medal of Honor Recipient
9. Cpl. John Stalvey, Iraq, Brunswick, GA
10. MSgt. John Hayes, Afghanistan, Middleburg, FL
11. LCpl. Joshua Bernard, Afghanistan, New Portland, ME
12. Cpl. Joshua Watkins, Iraq, Jacksonville, FL 13. Sgt. Richard Lord, Iraq, Fanning Springs, FL 
14. Cpl. Julian Woodall, Iraq, Tallahassee, FL
15. Cpl. Christian Rivera, Afghanistan, Homestead, FL
16. PO3. FMF. Julian Woods, Iraq, Jacksonville, FL 
17. Cpl. Marcus Preud’homme, Iraq, Jacksonville, FL
18. SSgt. Michael Bock, Afghanistan, Leesburg, FL 
19. PFC. Sonny Clark, Vietnam, Blountstown, FL

In memory

20. LCpl. Nathan Clemons, Iraq, Jacksonville, FL 21. Cpl. Nicholas Uzenski, Afghanistan, Franklin, NY
22. LCpl. Philip Clark, Afghanistan, Gainesville, FL
23. Cpl. Ronald Payne, Afghanistan, Lakeland, FL 24. LCpl. Douglas Freeman, Afghanistan, Plant City, FL
25. GySgt. Lloyd Holley, Afghanistan, Casselberry, FL
26. PFC. Oscar A. Martinez, Iraq, North Lauderdale, FL
27. LCpl. Richard Allen “T ex” Anderson, Vietnam, Houston, TX Medal of Honor Recipient
28. LCpl. Justin James Wilson, Afghanistan, Palm City, FL
29. LCpl. Scott “Scotty” Dougherty, Iraq, Bradenton FL
30. SSgt. Peter Woodall, Iraq, Sarasota, FL
31. LCpl. Andrew J. Aviles, Iraq, Tampa, FL 32. LCpl. James R. Phillips, Iraq, Hillsboro, FL 33. Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, Afghanistan, Thonotosassa, FL
34. LCpl. Antonio J. Sledd, Kuwait Island, Tampa, FL
35. PFC. Christopher R. Cobb, Iraq, Bradenton, FL
36. Sgt. Lea R. Mills, Iraq, Brooksville, FL
37. LCpl. Antoine D. Smith, Iraq, Orlando, FL
38. Sgt. Christian Bautista Williams, Iraq, Winter Haven, FL
39. Cpl. Adam Buyes, Afghanistan, Salem, OR
40. LCpl. Marcus Mahdee, Iraq, Fort Walton Beach, FL
41. Cpl. Christopher Lee Poole, Jr., Iraq, Eustis, FL
42. SSgt. Michael Bock, Afghanistan, Leesburg, FL
43. SgtMaj. Gilbert “Hashmark” Johnson, AL
44. Sgt. Marlon E. Myrie, Afghanistan, Oakland Park, FL
45. LCpl. Nate Schultz, Afghanistan, Oakland Park, FL

Education:

1962-64 High School: Lyman Ward Military Academy
1964-65 College: Georgia Military College
1969-70 Broward Junior College
1972 Florida State University Psychology B. S.
1974 Florida State University School Psychology M. S.

Employment:

1966 – 1968 United States Marine Corps
1968 – 1970 Hollywood Police Department
1974 – 1975 Florida Department of Health – Counselor for delinquent minors
1975 – 1977 School Psychologist Duval School System Schools
1977 – 1998 Real Estate Investor

Veterans’ Advocacy:

Cliff has spent the past twelve years sculpting 45 life-size busts of fallen Marines and Navy Corpsmen from Florida killed in action in the Middle East, and of fellow 3rd Recon company members that were killed in Vietnam. Once he completes the remaining four Marines he will have completed all the Marines and Corpsmen from Florida that were killed in action. He is a member of the Semper Fidelis Society that supports the military community in Jacksonville, Florida as well as a life-time member of the Montford Point Marines that supports and honors the first black Americans in the Marine Corps.

Civic Activities, Contributions, and Volunteering:

Montanari Clinical School; Davie, Florida, Volunteer Counselor Goodwill Industries; Tallahassee, Florida volunteering and research Behavior Analysis Research Associates; Tallahassee, Florida Big Brothers; Jacksonville, FL “Big Brother” Guardian ad Litem; Duval County Court System Advocate for children in the court system Board of Directors Yates YMCA; Jacksonville, Florida Heart Transplant Team; Shands Hospital; Jacksonville, Florida Patient advocate Dean Ornish Heart Disease Reversal Program; St. Vincent Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida. Assist staff Gabriel House at Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, Florida Counseled with transplant patients

Awards:

Who’s Who, American Junior College General Chesty Puller Award from the 3rd Recon Battalion Association for honoring two Medal of Honor recipients and two other Recon Marines killed in action. He was given a Creek Indian name by Chief Mary Sixwoman Blount, great granddaughter of Chief Blount, for his work sculpting Florida Native Chief John Blount. Chief Blount died just after arriving in Texas from Florida in the “Trail of Tears”. Chief Sixwoman Blount honored Cliff with the name “Hokkolvn Fvckvke Feke”. The English translation is Two Hearts Twice Full or Two Hearts.