A year ago, Aberdeen Post #224 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Twin Harbors Detachment 442 of the Marine Corps League co-hosted the Marine Corps Ball to celebrate the 243rd Marine Corps birthday. Two memorials were unveiled at that event that are now permanent fixtures at the VFW hall.
One memorial is a plaque listing all the members of the Aberdeen Marine Corps Reserve unit: Company B, 11th Marine Battalion, 13th Naval Reserve District. On Aug. 8, 1950, Company B was activated and boarded a train to Camp Pendleton, California, for further assignment to active duty commands around the world, in support of Marines.
One member of Company B was Hospitalman Apprentice Norman John “Doc” Leeson. He was assigned to a Marine infantry company and served in many places in Korea, including the Chosin Reservoir, the site of a battle pitting 18,000 soldiers against a force of 120,000 Chinese soldiers who crossed the 38th Parallel on Nov. 2, 1950.
Of the 150 members of Company B, seven were killed in action, 44 were wounded in action, and two were listed as missing in action, later determined to have been killed in action. Some, including Leeson, received awards for heroism in combat. The book by the late Ted Reynvaan, “The Boys of Company B,” detailed the personal stories of the men from the Aberdeen reservists called to active duty, including Leeson.
During his service, Leeson earned the Silver Star, the second highest award presented by the United States for valor in combat. After the war, he received a package containing “A present from your Marine brothers:” Four Marines, two of whom earned the Medal of Honor in Korea, sent Doc a polished Marine Non Commissioned Officer Sword, which is now on display in a shadow box in the Aberdeen VFW, where it will have a place of honor forever.
According to Jim Daly, past commander of the Aberdeen VFW post, while details are not certain, it is assumed that Leeson at some point tended to the four decorated Marines who sent the sword at some point in Korea.
Upon completion of his military service, Leeson came home to Hoquiam, where he married and raised a family. A couple of years ago his health began to fade, so he moved to the Chicago area to live with his son Steve and daughter-in-law Rhonda. Steve and Rhonda were in attendance at the Marine Corps Ball last year, but Doc was not able to attend. They were able to take photos and videos home which Doc enjoyed very much.
Unfortunately, Doc passed away a few weeks later. Now, the family has determined that Doc should come home to Grays Harbor. They are bringing his ashes home for interment at Fern Hill.
A ceremony with military honors will be held at Fern Hill Cemetery at 1 p.m., Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The public is welcome. Following the ceremony will be a reception at the Aberdeen VFW with snacks and bar.
