JULIAN H. LEGGETT, LT, USN
Julian Leggett '28
Lucky Bag
From the 1928 Lucky Bag:
JULIAN HOWARD LEGGETT
Tarboro, North Carolina
"Legs" "Jules"
JUST like a Tar Heel should be, amiable and happy, with a carefree disposition and a willingness to let life take its course if it doesn't run him down.
Nautically intended and adventurously inclined, with a love of music that has led him through a range of instruments from harmonicas to fiddles; but what better sign of diplomacy could be asked than the fact that he is still intact and both roommates sane? It is just as well that senoritas and balconies have no place in our mundane existence or we would surely lose "Legs" the first moonlight night.
Just one more of that rare species for whom the Goddess of Grease and stripes hold no lure. And though his platoon leader second class year may have convinced him that shoes look better shined, no man has yet convinced him that a 2.6 is velvet or that wasted energy can be restored.
A marked military genius though his methods may not conform to naval tactics and strategy.
"Reviewing the troops to-night, Jules."
Class Crew (3, 2).
JULIAN HOWARD LEGGETT
Tarboro, North Carolina
"Legs" "Jules"
JUST like a Tar Heel should be, amiable and happy, with a carefree disposition and a willingness to let life take its course if it doesn't run him down.
Nautically intended and adventurously inclined, with a love of music that has led him through a range of instruments from harmonicas to fiddles; but what better sign of diplomacy could be asked than the fact that he is still intact and both roommates sane? It is just as well that senoritas and balconies have no place in our mundane existence or we would surely lose "Legs" the first moonlight night.
Just one more of that rare species for whom the Goddess of Grease and stripes hold no lure. And though his platoon leader second class year may have convinced him that shoes look better shined, no man has yet convinced him that a 2.6 is velvet or that wasted energy can be restored.
A marked military genius though his methods may not conform to naval tactics and strategy.
"Reviewing the troops to-night, Jules."
Class Crew (3, 2).
Loss
Julian drowned on March 21, 1941 while swimming from the beach on the "northwest side of Oahu." (From the May 1941 issue of Shipmate.)
Two Army crash boats attempted to rescue him. An article in the newspaper Nippu Jiji the following day had the same information plus that he was a member of USS West Virginia (BB 48)'s wardroom.
Other Information
In the 1940 Navy Directory he is listed aboard USS New Mexico (BB 40); the April 1941 issue lists him as having died on the date above.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
On August 28, 1936, Julian married Mrs. Caroline (Ross) Pelletier of New Rochelle, New York. Her daughter was Caroline, and son Malcolm was born on December 15, 1937, in Agana, Guam.
In April 1939, Julian, his wife and son travelled from Yokohama to Los Angeles.
Julian's wife Caroline and Malcolm came to visit him in Honolulu arriving on February 5. They were at the beach when Caroline saw her husband Julian having trouble swimming. She called for help. Although two boats were sent out to rescue Julian, both overturned in the surf, and Julian was presumed drowned. Malcolm and his mom returned to San Francisco on the U.S.A.T. Hunter Liggett on April 2.
His father was Wilson Durward, a farmer, mother Katherine, sister Mary (Mrs. Bradford McDowell) and brothers William Thomas, Curtis and Lieutenant-Commander Wilson Durward Leggett, Jr. (’21 A.) Julian’s nephew, Wilson Durward, III, was a non-graduating member of the Naval Academy class of 1956.
Julian's Find A Grave page is here.
Memorial Hall Error
Julian's loss was not operational and he should not be included in Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
