Leonard was drafted and entered the Army Air Forces on August
4, 1943 at the age of 19.
After basic training, Leonard was trained in the hazardous
work of an aircraft armorer. The job included installation, maintenance,
replacement and or removal of aircraft ordinance.
A few of the bases that Leonard was assigned to were Keesler
AAF base in Mississippi, Tinker AAF base in Oklahoma, Kelly Field in Texas and
Victorville AAF base in California.
One of Leonard’s most memorable war experiences was when he
and two buddies were unwrapping and steam cleaning a (degreasing) new 20mm
artillery shell when the steam hose burst. Leonard was caught by the blast of
hot, scalding water and it sprayed on the left side of his face and body. After
2 weeks in the hospital, he asked the nurse if she could remove the bandages.
He said that he was concerned that his shoulder and upper arm were rotting away
as the stench was terrible. She agreed and removed the dressings and found that
the stench was due to dead skin.
Leonard recovered and stayed in the AAF’s until he was
discharged as a Corporal on March 5, 1946. He was awarded the American Campaign
medal, Good Conduct medal and the WWII Victory medal.
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