Leon Reious

== Leon Geronimo Reious ==
Leon Geronimo Castillio Reious (July 14 1890 - February 6 1933) was a sniper in the Philippines, he was also a top member of the well-known and famous Adonis Bar Mafia during the 1920's.
He was known for his unique skills with the Modello 1903 or the Tagalog Mauser and his valiant actions during the First Great War. 
== Early Life (1890 - 1916) ==
Leon Geronimo Reious was born on July 14 1890 in Calle Rosario, Binondo, Manila and is one of the first of the four children by Vilma Castillio and Benito Reious. His mother along with the three of his siblings abandoned him at the age of 10 leaving only him and his father. Leon eventually dropped out of elementary and his father committed suicide infront of him by shooting himself in the head, fortunately for Leon his father's brother received a letter from Benito himself telling him to take care of his son it only took Leon a day to get over his father's death. Shortly After his father's death he lived with his uncle in Cagayan with the two of his cousins, 3 years later his uncle received a Modello 1903 from a friend that worked in Zamfabca, he then taught Leon how to use and handle a rifle and when to use it.
In 1914 Leon went back to Binondo to get a job with the two of his cousins Osweng Reious and Anna Reious. Anna worked as a florist, Osweng worked as a housekeeper meanwhile Leon worked as a Engineer but quit in 1916 to enlist in the army
=== Military Career ===
Leon enlisted in November 1916, he was assigned to Nº 12 'Maynila' and became a member of the Assault Company 'Magtibay' due to his impressive skills with the Tagalog Mauser his captain assigned him the role as a Francotirador (Sniper)
Because of his role he was a very useful asset and was able to distinguish himself as a skilled sniper in the Company during the Compostela Front
=== The Battle of Nabunturan ===
February 12 1917 During the battle of Nabunturan 542 Elite German Marines started advancing on the the small town of Nabunturan, Leon alongside 211 Infantrymen of Nº 12 'Maynila' were assigned to the town weeks prior.
Leon was on Hill 128 with more than 16 men suddenly around 50 German Marines started to approach and advance on their position Leon was hit in the leg while most of the men in Hill 128 were immediately overwhelmed and killed while Leon pretended to be dead and hid under his comrade's dead body, hours later he escaped to Hill 129 and was the only sole survivor of his unit there he met Julian Nakpil fighting against Germans who were advancing on his position he immediately requested for a gun which Julian gave him a handgun but he insisted and requested a rifle but Leon saw a German who was about to shoot, Leon quickly stole Julian's mauser and shot the German infront of them, Leon gave back the mauser to Julian and took his handgun instead, Julian was surprised by Leon's fast reaction
After the Germans had been pushed back down the hill Leon was finally taken care of and his wound attended then news arrived that Hill 127 along with Hill 128 had fallen Hill 129 was the only remaining position held by Filipino Forces. The Command in Tagum has given the orders to retreat to Manat meanwhile the Support Company had stopped and began stationing in Manat
All the units from Hill 129 had finally arrived in Manat and began resupplying with the support company, shortly after German Marines started advancing again to the town of Manat intense combat had followed, Leon who finally got his hands on a mauser started engaging against the Germans although regardless of his wound on his leg he still fought and claimed to have killed more than 15 German Marines though he is credited with 10 kills.
By the 14th, the Germans had pushed all the way into Cabidianan, the last village in between the Germans and Nabunturan. The Command in Tagum had given orders to defend Cabidianan until the 2nd Support Company had arrived to reinforce the current units in Cabidianan most of the officers had been wounded or killed but one of the officers had entrusted Julian to organize the defence, without further ado Julian started to make preparations and turned a local inn into a roadside bastion, converted a church into a MG Nest and rigged roads with explosives, meanwhile Leon who was helping along with the defence was determined for revenge avenging the comrades he lost on Hill 128 that he had not been able to help.
Julian then demanded all men to start positioning themselves as the Germans are close and will start advancing anytime soon, all the troops were all behind sandbags, on rooftops and corners prepared to defend every single inch of Cabidianan, at 1:24 PM the German Marines started attacking the town of Cabidianan but to their surprise was shocked by how well defended Cabidianan was and were met by gunfire and rigged explosives. Leon who had a good view of the Germans started firing at them with precise shots and landing all the shots fired he fought side to side with his comrades along with Julian. Eventually the 2nd Support Company have arrived to reinforce the units in Cabidianan, the Germans have lost momentum and began to halt their advance. The 2nd Support Company along with the units of Cabidianan had counter-attacked the Germans making them retreat. The Battle of Nabunturan was one of the most significant losses the Germans recieved on the Compostela Front, losing 231 Experienced Marines with the rest being captured out of the 231 German Marines 78 of them had been killed by Leon Reious.
After the battle Leon was promoted to Sarhento for his outstanding efforts in battle he was accredited with more than 89 confirmed kills during the battle of Nabunturan.
==== Post War Life (1918) ====
Leon returned to Binondo and lived with his cousins, in 1920 along with 3 war veterans he joined the Adonis Bar Mafia founded in Las Pinas becoming one of the first members of the well-known gang in the Philippines.