The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Eugene Griffiths Leider, US55064597, who died in the service of his country on November 19th, 1951 in North Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Eugene was 23 years of age. He was from Evanston, Illinois. Eugene's Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.
The decorations earned by PFC Eugene Griffiths Leider include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Private First Class Leider was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea on September 8, 1951 and returned to duty on September 12, 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on November 19, 1951. Private First Class Leider was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Pfc. Eugene Griffiths Leider,23, husband of Lucille Stella Leider, 1026 Elmwood Avenue, Evanston, was killed November 19 his wife has learned; although listed as missing on the casualty list. Previously he had been wounded in the back and arm and returned to duty.
Leider, a graduate of Evanston Township High School, was a serviceman for the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois before he was drafted December 11,1950. He had been in Korea seven months.
Other survivors are his parents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leider; two brothers: Frank Jr. a WWII Navy veteran and Benjamin; and five sisters: Mrs. Angeline Hausaman, Mrs. Marcella Dickman, Mrs. Marion Meek, Evelyn Leider and Sue Leider.
Headquarters 25th Infantry Division
General Orders Number 31 13 February 1952
Award of The Silver Star (Posthumous)
Private First Class Eugene G Leider, US55064597, Company I 35th Infantry, United States Army. On 19 November 1951, near Kumhwa, Korea, Private Leiders unit was attacking a strong hostile force, well entrenched on commanding ground. When the advance was immobilized by intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from the enemy; he grasped his recoilless rifle and, completely disregarding the withering concentrations, charged forward to gain a vantage point within twenty-five feet of the hostile bunkers. Placing accurate, effective fire on the emplacements, Private Leider remained at his position although the fury of enemy fire was concentrated on him. His valorous actions so disrupted the hostile defense that his comrades could regain the initiative and secure the vital terrain. While refusing to yield ground, he was fatally wounded by automatic weapons fire. Private Leiders courageous determination, aggressive spirit, and selfless devotion to duty are worthy of emulation and reflect the highest credit on himself, his unit, and the American soldier.
By Command of Major General Swift
BURIAL LOCATION
ALL SAINTS CEMETERY, DES PLAINES, IL
|
