Lenny Budd was born on October 15, 1946, in Rowley, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 12, 1965, and after completing basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina, in April 1965, he attended advanced training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion at MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in April and May 1965. PFC Budd next served as an assistant platoon gunner and motor vehicle operator with Headquarters & Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from May 1965 to April 1966, followed by service as a guard at Marine Barracks Naval Ammunition Depot Oahu, Hawaii, from April 1966 to August 1967. He then deployed to South Vietnam, where he served with Company C, 9th Motor Transport Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division from August 12 until he was captured by Viet Cong forces on August 21, 1967. After spending 2,024 days in captivity in camps in South Vietnam and later in North Vietnam, Sgt Budd was released during Operation Homecoming on March 5, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries before receiving an honorable discharge on October 25, 1973. Leonard Budd died on December 6, 2016, and he chose to be cremated.

His Bronze Star Medal with Valor Citation reads:

For meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War (POW) in Southeast Asia from August 1967 to March 1973. Sergeant Budd's ceaseless efforts by a continuous showing of resistance to the enemy, who ignored all international agreements concerning treatment of POW's, demonstrated professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to the United States. Resisting the harsh treatment of his captors, Sergeant Budd was instrumental in maintaining the system of communications established by the prisoners. By so doing, he fostered the morale of his fellow POW's and solidified their efforts to resist the attempts of the enemy to attain dominance over them. Sergeant Budd's adherence to the Code of Conduct and overall exemplary performance reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.