SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC, (AP)—Lt. George C. Kinney, commander of allied air forces in the southwest Pacific, has awarded the bronze oak leaf cluster to the air medal to two Iowans Lt. Marvin A. Leist, Ottosen, and Lt. Gerald D. Nichols, Fairbank. An air medal was awarded Maj. Richard J. Shipway, Sioux City.
Source: Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sept. 1944
Marvin A. Leist was born about 1920 to Jacob M. and Cornelia J. “Nellie” Steidl Leist. He died Mar. 10, 1945 and is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.
Capt. Leist served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and was awarded the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He served with the 69th Squadron, 433rd Troop Carrier Group.
Source: ancestry.com; World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel from Iowa
