JAMES F. LEONARD, LTJG, USN
James Leonard '59
Lucky Bag
From the 1959 Lucky Bag:
JAMES F. LEONARD
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Twelfth Company
Before coming to the Academy, Jim spent a year at the University of Rhode Island after a summer of swinging a pick for the Rhode Island Highway Department. He proved himself to be one of the finest runners in the company, as he never failed to bring in a good number of points, whether running steeplechase, cross country or soccer. Jim's talents were not, however, confined to the sports world, as he also sang in the Catholic Choir and played an impromptu coronet.
JAMES F. LEONARD
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Twelfth Company
Before coming to the Academy, Jim spent a year at the University of Rhode Island after a summer of swinging a pick for the Rhode Island Highway Department. He proved himself to be one of the finest runners in the company, as he never failed to bring in a good number of points, whether running steeplechase, cross country or soccer. Jim's talents were not, however, confined to the sports world, as he also sang in the Catholic Choir and played an impromptu coronet.
Loss
From the May 1963 issue of Shipmate:
A Requiem Mass was said 28 February 1963 for JIM LEONARD whose F8U Crusader crashed in the ocean some 17 miles off Barber's Point, Oahu, Hawaii, on Monday, 25 February. The accident occurred while conducting exercises with the USS WILHOITE. At the completion of a glide bombing run on the ship he leveled off, banked sharply, and stalled. The memorial mass was arranged by the officers of VU-1.
Prior to USNA Jim attended the University of Rhode Island. Following commissioning he reported to the USS WILLIS A. LEE where he qualified as an underway OOD. At that time he was selected for flight training at Pensacola. Following this, he received advanced jet training at Corpus Christi, Texas, and reported to VU-1 on 10 March 1962. His aircraft qualifications included F9E, F1IF, F1C and F8U aircraft. He had flown about sixty hours in the F8U. This information was received from Clint Johnson '60 of VU-1. Clint also wrote, "It was a sad moment for all of us at VU-1 when we heard of the crash. Jim was a fine officer and set the example for the more junior officers of the squadron. His conduct spoke well for the Academy and his class."
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
“Jim” graduated from East High School in 1954. Future Intentions: Physicist. Activities; Band 1, 2, 3; Dramatic Society 1, 2, 3; East Hi-Y 2, 3; Cross Country 1, 2, 3; Track 1, 2, 3. Voted Most Nonchalant and Best Actor. At the University of Rhode Island, he was a member of the Bressler Dormitory Association.
He was assigned to Barber’s Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii for about a year flying the Navy’s F8U-1 Crusader.
Father James was a customs inspector, and mother Eleanor was a teacher in Barrington.
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
Related Articles
William Cain '59 and Alvin Wilderman '59 were also in 12th Company.
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