Jerry Lee Leonardi

Jerry Leonardi grew up near Runnels not far from Des Moines. He and his wife moved to Des Moines to the Italian neighborhood to raise eight children. As a career soldier, Jerry moved often and the family needed a place so he did not have to concern himself with their safety. He served in the Korean War in 1950 and had postings in Germany, California, and Kansas. Sergeant First Class Leonardi volunteered for a tour in Vietnam in 1965 was assigned to Advisory Team 75. He was killed when his jeep hit a land mine July 10th. He was buried in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.