Leonard Alva Justice's Obituary
Leonard (Lenny) Alva Justice passed away peacefully during a beautiful Florida summer sunset on August 6, 2023.
Lenny was a stoic man, sometimes it was hard to know what he really felt, as he always took life in stride staying positive. Shortly before Lenny passed, while sharing stories as Veterans, he became uncharacteristically teary eyed, as he spoke about the fire on the USS Enterprise, where he served as a teen.
In 1969, Lenny, was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for heroic action.
“For heroic achievement while attached to and serving in USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65) operating in Hawaiian Waters. On 14 January 1969, Petty Officer Justice was at his assigned station on the number two deck edge control station when explosions and fire rocked the ship. He immediately ran aft to assist in manning a fire hose where, despite intense heat and flying shrapnel which injured other members of his hose team, he remained and fought the fire until it extinguished. Petty Officer Justice’s courage and devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own personal safety reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
These words are representative of the way Lenny lived his life. Lenny faced numerous battles and tragedies, both before and after the Navy. Regardless of what life threw at him, Lenny achieved great success, doing so with heroic stoicism and fierce determination. Lenny leaves behind a son and daughter, 4 grandchildren, family, and friends that love and miss him greatly.
I miss you, Dad. I think about you every day. We all miss you.
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