In Memoriam
Oscar L. Leonard
Oscar was born April 25, 1919 in Greensboro NC. His family moved to Washington State when he was ten.
In 1939, Oscar enlisted in the 116th Cavalry Regiment of the Idaho National Guard. Oscar enlisted in the Army Air Corps in July of 1940. He applied for the Philippines and in October was assigned duty in Corregidor, Company C of the 60th Costal Artillery. He was asked and worked for the CIC. He was transferred to Clarke AFB and assigned to the 28th bomber Squadron. After the fall of Clarke AFB, he fell back to Bataan. From there he went to Corregidor and then to Mindanao where they were ordered to surrender. Oscar was taken to his first POW camp in Mindanao where he shared a room with General Sharp, then to Bilipid in Manilla. On October 8, 1942 he was removed and sent on a ‘Hell Ship’ the Tottori Maru to Japan. He worked as slave labor for 42 months. The initial POW camp in Japan was Kawasaki 2. Oscar was awakened in the middle of the night, given a new uniform and taken to the USS MISSOURI to witness the surrender of the Japanese.
Oscar moved to Idaho and got into pharmacy school. He went on to become a pharmacist and married Mary Lemmon who also became a pharmacist. They moved to Paradise, California and lived there for over sixty years. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, three children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Love to Sarah and Oscar’s family. Thank you for your service, sir. God speed
A man I revered, and a war hero. 3 long years 6 long months a Prisoner of War.
He was a Stern man, forever shaped by his military service. He is my grandfather.
It was an honor to meet Oscar and spend time with him at Bataan Memorial Death Marches at White Sands, New Mexico. His generation truly was “The Greatest”…
God speed and rest in peace, Sir…
I have been blessed to have known this incredible man and his family through Bataan. Praying for his family! He was a very kind and compassionate man. I will treasure the memories of his talks, dinners at La Posta, taking care of them in the Green room in White Sands and my yearly pictures with him. Sir, you were a true HERO. Thank you
Condolences to the Leonard family, with an extra hug for Mary and Sarah. Anyone who knows this family, knows how large Oscar looms in their hearts. A true patriarch.
Gene and I were just talking about Oscar a while back. We are both so sad to see that he has left us. We will always remember him fondly from our time all working together at Terrace Pharmacy . Mary, one of my fondest memories of all of you is the day you came in to the store carrying your little girl who was carrying a teddy bear. Along the way the poor bear lost a leg which I found and returned to her as she said “Dats him leg!” We often say that just to smile! God bless and keep all of you safe and well. Our deepest condolences to all of you!