COL Leonard A. Leassear

COL Leonard A. Leassear enlisted in the United States Army in 1958, completing basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Then, PVT Leassear graduated from the Missile Maintenance School at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama as a Missile Repairman.

It was in 1965, then SSG Leassear was selected for commissioning and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky earning a commission in the Ordnance Corps in 1966. He attended the Officer Guided Missiles Course at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

COL Leassear’s notable assignments include Missile Platoon Leader in Camp Humphreys, South Korea with subsequent command of the 65th Ordnance Company when the USS Pueblo incident occurred. 1LT Leassear reacted in an exemplary manner and set up defensive positions along potential enemy avenues of approach during a time of crisis which earned him a three month extension of command.

At his next assignment at White Sands Missile Range, he augmented the curriculum of Phased Array Radar Classes which demonstrated his potential to the point that the Army selected him to attend New Mexico State and earn his bachelor’s degree. Following graduation, newly promoted CPT Leassear was selected to command 632d Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company in Vietnam where he turned the unit into one of great technical proficiency and efficiency. He then commanded the 624th Supply and Service Company repeating his noteworthy performance.

After a staff role with the Chief of Staff of the Army Materiel and Readiness Command, he assumed command of the 702d Maintenance Battalion assigned to the 2d Infantry Division at Camp Casey, South Korea. He would return to command the 2d Infantry Division Support Command as a Colonel in what would be his last operational command. Serving with great distinction in both commands supporting the 2d Infantry Division, he greatly increased readiness and efficiency ensuring the division was ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

His final two assignments, as Director of Maintenance at the Tank Automotive Command and as Logistics Division Chief at the Joint Chiefs’ J4, both earned him similar acclaim. He was the primary officer responsible for personnel and industrial base mobilization as well as the largest call-up of reserve forces since WWII.

COL Leassear’s awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal (3rd Award).

COL Leassear retired in November 1990.