World War II Honoree

Leo Gene Church

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wichita Falls, Texas

Honored By

Mrs. Cecilia Wood Church

Relationship

Wife

HE SERVED IN THE NAVY DURING WWII WITH THE RANK OF GUNNER'S MATE. HE WAS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THEATRE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATRE AND THE AMERICAN THEATRE. HE SERVED ON MANY SHIPS. MOST OF HIS SERVICE WAS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, GUADALCANAL AND MANY OF THE OTHER ISLANDS IN THAT CHAIN. HE WAS WOUNDED DURING ONE BATTLE AND WAS HOSPITALIZED AT GUADALCANAL IN A FULL-BODY CAST. HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BEING WOUNDED. HE RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR BRAVERY WHILE IN THE NAVY.