World War II Honoree

Leonard R. Leak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ATTENDED RADIO OPERATOR SCHOOL AT CAMP CROWDER, MISSOURI AND AVIATION CADET COURSES AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. LATER QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF QUARTERMASTER SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (821). ASSIGNED TO THE NEWLY FORMED 65TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN AUGUST OF 1943 AND CONTINUED TRAINING UNTIL JANUARY, 1945 WHEN HE DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT (ANTI-TANK COMPANY, 261ST INFANTRY REGIMENT) ON JANUARY 10, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON MARCH 31, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP MCCOY, WISCONSIN.