Sgt. R. M. Leech, who is stationed at the army air base, Clovis, New Mexico, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Leech of Leon, that he is completing his last week for ground school training and will soon rate a furlough. After completing ground school work, he will fly. He hopes to return to Iowa on a Flying Fortress soon. At the Fox drug store in Clovis, often the patrons are interviewed over the air, writes Sgt. Leech. “Last Saturday morning I was interviewed from 7:30 a. m. until 8:00 a. m. over the Fox Coffee clue review. They asked my opinions on sports and had me compare some of the football teams. Sure was fun."
Source: Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, November, 1943
Staff Sgt. Richard Leech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Leech, of Leon, who is a bombardier in England, has been recently awarded an air medal and the oak leaf cluster.
Source: Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, May, 1944 (photo included)
An air medal has been awarded to Staff Sergeant Richard M. Leech, of Leon, who is stationed in England, for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. The medal was awarded under command of Lieut. Gen. James Doolittle. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Leech received the medal sent to them by their son on Father’s Day.
Source: Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, June 22, 1944
Staff Sergeant Richard M. Leech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Leech, of Leon, who is a tail gunner at an eighth air force liberator station in England, is a member of the group cited for distinguished and outstanding service in 100 combat missions over Europe. The group, commanded by Col. Irvine A. Rendle of Rawlins, Wyoming, made its port of the initial landings by Allied forces in France. The citation, issued by Major Gen. James F. Hodges, division commanding general covered mission to Berlin, Friedrichashaven, Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Gotha, and France.
Source: Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, July 27, 1944
Staff Sgt. Richard Leech writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Leech, of Leon, that he has completed his missions and has been released form combat. He was given a seven-day furlough and will soon start home.
Source: Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Source: Decatur County Women's Auxilary WWII Scrapbook; Submission by Decatur County Historical Museum, Leon IA, Sara Rose Joan LeFleur, June of 2016
