| James Herbert (Jimmie) Leach | |
|---|---|
Colonel James H Leach at Arracourt, 2009 |
|
| Born | April 7, 1922 Houston, Texas |
| Died | December 17, 2009 (aged 87) Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Buried at | Beaufort National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1972 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | 11th Armored Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Purple Heart (5) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star (2) with V device |
Colonel James Herbert "Jimmie" Leach (April 7, 1922 – December 17, 2009) was a US Army officer who served as a World War II battlefield Company Commander in Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams' 37th Tank Battalion,[1] 4th Armored Division in Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army, from July 1944 and Operation Cobra, the subsequent rapid advance across France, through the Lorraine Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge.[2] From May to September, 1948, Leach served as US Army liaison to the government of South Korea on Jeju island at the beginning of the insurrection that has been termed the Jeju Uprising. Col. Leach later commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry as the 40th "Colonel of the Regiment" in Vietnam from April–December, 1969 having taken command from Col. George Patton IV, son of his 3rd Army World War commander. As Chief of Armor Branch of the US Army in 1970-1972 he oversaw the careers of 3500 field-grade Army officers. As Chief, Col. Leach paid particular attention to the desire of battle-wounded officers to remain active in the Army. General Frederick M. Franks, Jr. credits Col. Leach with the critical role in maintaining his Army career and the career of other officers after Franks lost a foot in combat in Vietnam.[3] Franks later led elements of Operation Desert Storm in the first Gulf War.[4] Col. Leach received the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor at Bigonville, Luxembourg on Dec 24, 1944,[5] and earned five Purple Hearts for wounds in the European campaigns. Col. Leach was awarded the Croix de Guerre of Luxembourg, Virtuti Militarie – Poland, Legion of Merit, Two Silver Star Medals awarded during Vietnam, and two Bronze Star Medals with “V” device. His honors include: Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, Ft. Benning, GA; First recipient of the Gold Medal of the Order of St. George, US Armor Association in 1986;[6] Professor of Military History, Ft. Knox, Kentucky; President of Military Officers of America Association; and President of the Veterans Cemetery Committee of Beaufort (VCCOB).[7]
He was the posthumous recipient of the French Legion of Honor in 2010.[8]
After retirement from the US Army in 1974 Col. Leach worked for defense contractor Teledyne for 14 years before retiring to Beaufort, SC. Col. Leach led successful efforts to expand the Beaufort (SC) National Cemetery,[9] a resting place for war dead since the Civil War. He last visited France in September 2009 celebrating the 65th anniversary of the American liberation of the Province of Lorraine. At Chancenay,[10] the memorial for the Battle of Arracourt[11] and three other celebrations Col. Leach offered remarks honoring the French and the soldiers who participated in his battles.
Lt. Colonel Abrams, who became US commander in Vietnam and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described young Capt. Leach at 22: "The placid, modest, friendly exterior of this Officer disguises the fighting heart of a lion and the tenaciousness of a bulldog, all seasoned with an engaging personality. - Lt. Colonel Creighton W. Abrams, Dec. 31, 1944."[12]