WWII vet shares his story

BY SAMANTHA LANDIS
For The Tribune-Democrat

July 03, 2008 11:37 pm

— SHANKSVILLE – Sixty-three years ago today, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Leonard Reighard was awarded his second Bronze Star Medal.
But his wife of 23 years, Donna, only recently found out about his many decorations.
“I didn’t mention them to anyone because I didn’t want to sound like I was bragging,” he said.
The Bronze Star is an individual military decoration – the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.
Reighard served two years, 11 months in the Philippines/Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
When he arrived home, he said, he put his uniform in a closet and didn’t take it out until a few months ago.
From his hometown of Salix, Reighard enlisted in the Air Force just days after his 19th birthday.
After he was honorably discharged when he was nearly 22, he returned to work at Bethlehem Steel.
Reighard’s other wartime decorations include the Philippine Liberation Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
Although he has met many veterans of other wars, Reighard said it has become increasingly difficult to find other veterans of WWII.
He began wearing his WWII veteran’s hat a year ago to reach out to others who may have been in the war.
“The good Lord has been good to me,” said the 84-year-old.
Joining the military is a matter of conscience, and duty, he said.
“If you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go,” he said, urging residents to support area soldiers.
“With veterans being treated like they are, who is going to fight another war?”

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