WILLIAM F. LELAND, 1LT, USA

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
William Leland '10

Date of birth: January 27, 1887

Date of death: September 29, 1918

Age: 31

Naval Academy Register

William Farrel Leland was admitted to the Naval Academy from Troy, Kansas on March 15, 1906 at age 18 years 2 months.

He resigned shortly afterwards, on May 18, 1906.

Lucky Bag

He is listed on the page of "Past Midshipmen."

Photographs

Loss

William was killed in action on the western front of Europe on September 29, 1918.

Other Information

From The History and Achievements of The Fort Sheridan Officers' Training Camps:

Second Lieutenant William Farrel Leland

Machine Gun Company, 369th Regiment. Died on September 29, 1918, in French Military Hospital from wounds received in action.

Lieutenant Leland was born in Troy, Kans., on January 27, 1887. He was educated in the public schools of Topeka, Kans., and Washburn Academy. He then entered Annapolis Naval Academy, resigning in 1908 after two years' study, after which he entered the University of Michigan Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1916, and entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railway as an assistant attorney, which position he held until his admission to the Second Officers' Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, 4th Company. Upon receiving his commission Lieutenant Leland was ordered overseas, sailing on January 10, 1918, as a casual officer. Upon arrival in France he studied further at the American Infantry Specialists School, Langres, Haute-Marne, and was then assigned, with several other officers, to the 369th Infantry, which regiment was brigaded with the French Fourth Army. On the 26th of September, while leading his platoon, Lieutenant Leland was mortally wounded by gunshot fire, dying three days later. He was cited for bravery in action and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, and also recommended for promotion. He was married to Miss Hazel I. Sheppard of Plymouth, Mich., on August 2, 1911. Besides his widow, Lieutenant Leland is survived by two children, William F., Jr., aged six, and Kathryn F., aged five years, who reside in Ardmore, Okla.

William is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His son, William Jr., was also a 2nd Lieutenant who fought in Europe and did not return home.


Class of 1910

William is one of 15 members of the Class of 1910 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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